Pune Registers 59 Cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome Neuro Disease
Pune has reported over 100 cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), with health authorities investigating potential water contamination and urging the public to follow safety precautions.
In a concerning development, Pune has reported more than 100 cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare but serious disease where the body’s immune system attacks its own nerves. GBS often occurs after an infection, like the flu or stomach issues, and can lead to severe symptoms like weakness in the limbs, neck, face, and eyes, as well as tingling, numbness, and difficulty walking, swallowing, or breathing.
Of the 101 reported cases, 81 are from Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) area, 14 from Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, and the remaining 6 from other districts. Authorities have also reported 1 suspected death from Solapur, where the victim may have contracted the infection in Pune before traveling.
The affected individuals range from infants to people in their 70s. Of the 101 patients, 68 are men and 33 are women. Currently, 16 patients are in critical condition and are receiving support on ventilators.
Pune Divisional Health Commissioner, Dr. Chandrakant Pulkundwar, met with health officials to review the situation. He assured the public that there is no need to panic and that medical teams are closely monitoring the situation. They are collecting detailed medical histories of those affected to understand the cause better.
Experts believe that GBS can sometimes be linked to bacterial infections, particularly Campylobacter jejuni, which is commonly found in contaminated water. As a result, health officials are investigating possible water contamination in the affected areas, especially in Sinhagad. Water samples are being collected, and a household survey will be carried out to check for potential sources of contamination.
Dr. Pulkundwar has advised people to boil drinking water and avoid consuming stale or uncovered food to prevent bacterial infections that can lead to GBS.
To help the affected families, Pune’s district collector has requested the Maharashtra government to include GBS treatment expenses under the state’s health insurance plan.
Health authorities are urging people to stay vigilant and follow safety guidelines to avoid the spread of this dangerous condition.
