Credit: Sugandh Khandelwal
As the world grapples with the spread of the human metapneumovirus (hMPV), India is facing two distinct health crises in different states. In Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, a mysterious illness has claimed 17 lives, prompting the quarantine of over 200 individuals. On the other hand, Pune is witnessing a surge in an acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) variant of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases. Till the time this report was filed, 67 cases of the diseases had been reported. A 64-year-old female patient has succumbed to the disease.
In Jammu & Kashmir, the disease is concentrated in Budhal village of the Rajouri district. It causes severe damage to the brain and nervous system. Among the victims, four people, including three sisters, were hospitalized, with three airlifted to Jammu for advanced care. After thorough investigations, experts identified cadmium toxin exposure as the root cause. Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed the findings, revealing that tests conducted at the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research in Lucknow detected cadmium in the victims’ bodies. He clarified that no viral, bacterial, or infectious agents were present in the samples.
Also Read: JK Mysterious Illness: 200+ Quarantined in Rajouri; Study finds Cadmium Toxin as Cause
In Pune, 67 cases of GBS have been identified. The number includes 39 cases in Pune Rural, 13 in Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), 12 in Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and three outstation patients are also reported.
GBS is a neurological condition that attacks the nerves leading to weakness in the upper and lower limbs, neck, face and eyes, tingling or numbness. In severe cases, the patient could experience difficulty in walking, swallowing or breathing. The reason behind rising cases of GBS in Pune right now is Campylobacter jejuni, a spiral-shaped, Gram-negative bacterium. This bacterium is the leading cause of foodborne gastroenteritis across the world. Generally found in the intestines of animals, particularly poultry, the bacterium spreads to humans through the consumption of undercooked meat, unpasteurized dairy products, or untreated water.
As per media reports, at least 59 patients had to be hospitalized, 11 of whom had to be put on ventilators and one was reported dead. The joint director of health services, Maharashtra, Dr Babita Kamlapurkar, said, “The aim is towards early identification and treatment of patients. The reason behind the surge in cases is consumption of contaminated water and food.”
Also Read: Spike in Guillain-Barré Syndrome Cases in Pune Sparks Alarm
