Pune Reports 180 Suspected Cases
The number of suspected Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) cases in the Pune region has risen to 180, with seven new cases detected. Additionally, Mumbai reported its first case, a 64-year-old woman diagnosed with the nerve disorder, according to health officials.
A health department official reported on Friday that four of the seven cases in Pune are newly identified, while three were confirmed from previous days.
Breakdown of GBS Cases in Pune
Out of the 180 suspected cases, 146 have been confirmed as GBS. The distribution is as follows:
- 35 patients from Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)
- 88 from newly added villages in the PMC area
- 25 from Pimpri Chinchwad civic limits
- 24 from Pune Rural
- 8 from other districts
So far, doctors have discharged 79 patients, while 58 remain in intensive care units (ICU) and 22 require ventilator support. The total number of deaths in the region stands at six, according to a health department release.
Mumbai Confirms First GBS Case
On Friday, Mumbai confirmed its first case of GBS in a 64-year-old woman. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner and state-appointed administrator Bhushan Gagrani stated that the patient is receiving treatment in the ICU of a civic-run hospital.
Doctors hospitalized the woman, a resident of Andheri (East), with fever and diarrhea. Within three days, she experienced difficulty walking and progressive weakness in her lower limbs. Doctors diagnosed her with Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (AIDP), a variant of GBS, based on clinical findings and diagnostic tests. Officials described her condition as “moderate.”
Understanding GBS
GBS is a rare autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the peripheral nerves. This leads to muscle weakness, loss of sensation in the limbs, and potential difficulty swallowing or breathing. Severe cases can cause near-total paralysis. The condition is more common in adults and males but can affect people of all ages.
Government’s Response and Water Contamination Concerns
Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar announced plans to introduce a law to ensure access to clean drinking water and impose fines on entities that contaminate water sources.
“The Pune Municipal Corporation, state health department, and other agencies have worked hard to contain GBS cases,” he said.
Investigation into Waterborne Bacteria
Experts from the central government, the World Health Organization, and the state health department are working together to prevent further spread. Since investigations confirmed waterborne bacteria as the cause of the outbreak, authorities are holding responsible parties accountable.
Abitkar stated that the government is drafting a bill to enforce stricter regulations on water pollution and will present it in the upcoming Budget session.
Water Quality Measures in Nanded Village
Authorities have instructed the PMC to ensure proper chlorination of water in Nanded village, an area with a high number of GBS cases. Officials are closely monitoring water sources to prevent further contamination.
As reported by economictimes, water samples are being collected from various sources, including sewage discharged by resorts near Khadakwasla Dam and poultry farms in the region. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether these factors contributed to the outbreak, the minister added.