Maharashtra’s health department officials have confirmed that the number of suspected Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases in Pune and nearby districts has surged to 130, with two reported deaths linked to the rare nerve disorder. The most recent fatalities include a 56-year-old woman from Pune and a man from Solapur district.
As of Thursday, health officials stated that three new suspected infections were recorded the previous day. Among the 130 suspected patients, 73 have been diagnosed with confirmed GBS cases. The distribution of cases includes 25 patients from Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) areas, 74 from newly-added villages under PMC, 13 from Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation areas, nine from rural Pune, and nine from other districts in the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who presided over a District Planning Committee meeting in Pune, urged local civic and district health officials to take immediate and stringent action against hospitals that overcharge GBS patients. He emphasized the need for an adequate supply of medication and medical care for those affected by the condition.
GBS is a rare but serious disorder that causes sudden muscle weakness and numbness, primarily affecting the limbs. The exact cause of the outbreak is suspected to be linked to contaminated water sources, with Campylobacter jejuni, a bacteria commonly found in contaminated food and water, believed to be the trigger for the ongoing surge in cases.
Authorities are working to address the issue by ensuring sufficient healthcare provisions and taking necessary steps to curb the further spread of GBS in the affected areas. The government has also stepped up efforts to investigate the water contamination and prevent additional infections.
Sources By Agencies