As Maharashtra reports more than 100 cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in Pune, the Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Dr. Rajiv Bahl, announced that investigations are underway. A team of experts has been collecting stool and blood samples from infected individuals to determine the cause of the outbreak.
Dr. Bahl explained that the cause of GBS is only identified in around 40% of cases. Preliminary tests by the National Institute for Virology (NIV) in Pune found Campylobacter jejuni bacteria in four stool samples from 21 GBS patients, while some samples tested positive for norovirus. However, the connection between norovirus and GBS remains unclear, as medical literature does not support this link.
The Union Health Ministry has dispatched a high-level, multi-disciplinary team to Pune to assist local authorities in managing the surge of GBS cases. The central team, including experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), NIMHANS, and NIV Pune, is working closely with the state health departments to monitor the situation and recommend necessary public health interventions.
Water samples from various locations in the city have been sent for chemical and biological analysis at the Public Health Laboratory. The ICMR DG also urged private medical practitioners to report any GBS cases to public health authorities to aid in the investigation. Authorities have reassured the public, advising them not to panic as preventive measures are being implemented.
Maharashtra has also reported its first suspected death linked to GBS in Solapur. The number of confirmed GBS cases in Pune continues to rise. A statement from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) confirmed that the expert team is actively monitoring the situation on the ground.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome is characterized by sudden muscle weakness or paralysis, often starting in the legs and progressing upward. This can be accompanied by difficulty walking, weakness, and prolonged diarrhea. Early recognition of symptoms is crucial for effective treatment.
Medical professionals have issued advice on maintaining water and food safety. Citizens are encouraged to drink boiled water, eat fresh and clean food, and avoid cross-contaminating cooked and uncooked food to reduce the risk of infection.
Dr. Praveen Gupta, Principal Director and Chief of Neurology at Fortis Hospital, explained that GBS occurs when the body’s immune response to infections, such as Campylobacter jejuni or respiratory viruses, mistakenly targets the peripheral nervous system, leading to ascending paralysis. In severe cases, respiratory muscles may become affected, requiring ventilator support.
Treatments like intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and plasma exchange have improved outcomes for GBS patients, but early intervention is critical. Dr. Bhargavi Ramanujam, Senior Consultant in Neurology at PSRI Hospital, emphasized the importance of recognizing early signs such as leg weakness, sensory changes, and fluctuating blood pressure. Weakness in facial muscles, leading to drooling, can also be an early indication of GBS.
Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely, with preventive and control measures in place.