Two more suspected deaths due to GBS recorded in Maharashtra, taking toll to four
Two more suspected deaths due to GBS recorded in Maharashtra, taking toll to four
The fatalities due to suspected Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in Maharashtra increased to four on Friday, with a total of 140 patients diagnosed with the medical condition. Among the suspected patients, 98 are diagnosed as confirmed GBS cases, with 18 on ventilator support.
However, the Public Health department said the newly-detected patients are being counted together from the previous days. The numbers have risen in other districts from nine to 11. Of the total cases, 26 patients were detected in Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), 78 are from newly added villages in PMC area, 15 are from Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), and 10 are from Pune Rural.
After adults in the 20 to 29 age bracket, children in the age group 0-9 are most affected. The data of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) recorded 22 patients in the 0-9 age bracket while 32 patients were diagnosed in the 20-29 grouping. In the 10-19 age bracket, it is 20 patients, 30-39 are 16 patients, 40-49 are 13 patients, 50-59 are 22 patients, 60-69 are 14 patients, and one in 80-89 age group.
The State-level rapid response team visited the affected area and conducted surveillance activities. Officials have increased the number of surveyed houses. As of Friday, 40,457 houses in PMC, 10,718 houses in PCMC, and 12,295 houses in Pune rural areas were surveyed with a combined total of 63,470.
More water samples from different parts of the city have been sent for chemical and biological analysis to the Public Health Laboratory. By Friday, 160 water samples were sent, but the number of contaminated water sources remained the same at eight.
Following the increase in GBS cases in Nanded, Kirkatwadi, Dhayari, and other localities on Sinhgad Road, the Pune Municipal Corporation has been collecting water samples from borewells and wells for investigations.
An official said Escherichia coli or E.coli bacteria was found in one of the samples obtained from private borewells in the Sinhgad Road area. He said E.coli in water is a sign of faecal or animal waste contamination, and the prevalence of bacteria can lead to GBS infection.
“Yesterday, we collected samples from private borewells and wells in the GBS-affected areas of Sinhgad Road. In one of the samples, E-Coli bacteria was found,” said PMC water supply department chief Nandkishor Jagtap.
Two days ago, a meeting was held of operators of private tube wells and borewells, and they were instructed to use bleaching power solutions provided by PMC to ensure the bacteria is contained, Jagtap said.
(With inputs from PTI)
