Suspected Guillain-Barre Syndrome cases rise to 163 in Maharashtra
Suspected Guillain-Barre Syndrome cases rise to 163 in Maharashtra
The number of people suspected to have contracted Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) in Maharashtra rose to 163 on Monday (February 3 2025), from 158 the previous day. The number of suspected deaths by the syndrome remained at five.
The number of confirmed cases of the rare auto-immune neurological disorder stood at 127 on Monday, with 28 of them on ventilator support, on Monday, according to data from the State Public Health Department.
About 29 patients were from Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), 82 from villages newly added to PMC, 17 from Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, 13 from Pune Rural and eight from other districts.
About 90% of the suspected cases were in the 0-59 age group. The highest number of cases among them, 35, was from the 20-29 age group.
One fresh case was was reported on Monday.
GBS is a rare condition that causes sudden numbness and muscle weakness, with symptoms including severe weakness in the limbs.
The Health Department said that 63 serum samples have been sent to NIMHANS Bengaluru to test for Antiganglioside antibodies, a common feature of GBS and related neurological diseases. Earlier, 168 water samples from different parts of Pune had been sent to the Public Health Laboratory for chemical and biological analysis, and samples from eight water sources were found to be contaminated.
A State-level rapid response team visited the affected area immediately, the Health Department statement read. PMC and rural authorities were instructed to increase surveillance. The Department also assured that necessary actions had been taken and advised citizens not to panic.
The Public Health Department also advised people to drink only quality water and to avoid uncooked meat and stale food.
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda chaired a high-level meeting through video-conferencing on the state of GBS cases with the Maharashtra’s Minister of Public health and Family welfare Prakash Abitkar, Minister of Medical education Hasan Mushrif, and Minister of Jal Shakti Gulab Raghunath Rao Patil. Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare of India, Prataprao Jadhav, along with senior officers of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Government of Maharashtra were also present at the meeting.
Maharashtra officials presented a situation update which included public health measures taken by the State.
Mr. Nadda reviewed the public health measures undertaken by the health authorities, including testing and treatment of patients affected by GBS.
While he appreciated the efforts taken by the State Government,
he also emphasised that the situation was under control contained and under continuous monitoring.
Mr. Nadda also advised the State to co-ordinate with the Union Government to explore the the possible causes of the outbreak to prevent recurrences in future. Moreover, he assured the State Government that all support would be given to manage the disease.
