The French Caribbean island of Martinique has suffered its first Zika virus-related death, the regional health agency said Friday.

"The patient, aged 84, had been hospitalised for ten days in intensive care with Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS)," the agency said, adding that the Zika link came to light late last week.

Some experts believe there is a link between Zika and GBS -- in which the immune system attacks the nervous system.