Guillain-Barre Syndrome: Caseload in Maharashtra rises to 130

The number of suspected cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), a rare nerve disorder, in Pune and some other districts of Maharashtra has risen to 130, health department officials have said.Two patients – a 56-year-old woman from Pune and a man from Solapur district – have died due to suspected GBS in the state so far.

Officials said that three new suspected infections were recorded on January 30.

“A total of 130 suspected patients and two suspected deaths linked to GBS have been recorded until now. Of these, 73 are diagnosed as confirmed GBS cases. Twenty-five patients are from Pune Municipal Corporation areas, 74 from newly-added villages under PMC, 13 from Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation areas, nine from Pune rural and nine from other districts,” an official said.Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar instructed civic and district health officials to take stringent action against hospitals that overcharge GBS patients.

Pawar, also the Pune district guardian minister, instructed the officials to ensure an adequate supply of drugs for GBS. This rare condition causes sudden numbness and muscle weakness, with severe limb weakness as a symptom.

The GBS outbreak in Pune and surrounding areas is likely linked to contaminated water sources. Campylobacter jejuni, a bacteria found in contaminated food and water, is believed to be the reason for the outbreak.