Pune has reported a worrying increase in Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases, with 26 new instances emerging within a week. Health officials are investigating the situation, with 59 patients currently hospitalized with 11 on ventilator support across three major hospitals. Most cases are from Sinhagad Road, Dhayari, and Kirkatwadi. The teams will survey 200,000 households, collect water samples, and interview residents. Contaminated water is suspected, and patient samples are being analyzed.
What is Guillain-Barré Syndrome?
GBS is a rare condition where the immune system attacks peripheral nerves, often following infections like Campylobacter jejuni or Epstein-Barr virus, with minimal risk linked to vaccines. Guillain-Barré Syndrome GBS symptoms typically begin with tingling and weakness in the legs, which may progress to the arms and face. Other symptoms include difficulty walking, nerve pain, and irregular heart rate or blood pressure. Severe cases can result in paralysis, sometimes requiring ventilation. Most patients recover within months, with approximately 80% achieving full recovery.
Health Department and Hospital Efforts
Dr. Babita Kamalapurkar, joint director of the state health department, stated that 11 out of 59 patients are currently on ventilators. Teams have been deployed to collect water samples from homes, tankers, restaurants, and hotels in Sinhagad Road, Dhayari, and Kirkatwadi. These samples will undergo chemical and bacteriological testing. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also been notified. Dr. Neena Borade, PMC’s health chief, noted that many patients along Sinhagad Road had experienced vomiting and diarrhea before developing GBS symptoms. Most of these individuals live near the Mutha riverbank, and authorities suspect that others in the area may have experienced similar symptoms without progressing to GBS. State health and municipal authorities are working to identify the root cause of the outbreak and implement measures to prevent further cases in the affected areas.
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