- By Deeksha Gour
- Wed, 19 Feb 2025 12:12 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Pune GBS Outbreak: Pune is currently facing an alarming increase in cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), with 183 confirmed diagnoses and an additional 28 suspected cases reported. This outbreak has prompted urgent responses from health officials.
Health authorities have confirmed that there have been nine fatalities associated with GBS, with four deaths directly linked to the syndrome and five remaining under investigation. The affected individuals span various regions, including:
42 patients from Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)
94 patients from newly incorporated villages within the PMC area
32 from Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC)
33 from rural Pune
10 from other districts
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Of the patients, 139 have been discharged, while 39 are currently in intensive care units (ICU) and 18 are on ventilators. A new suspected case was reported today.
Understanding GBS
Guillain-Barre Syndrome is an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nervous system, causing muscle weakness and, in severe instances, paralysis. Symptoms often include sudden weakness in the limbs, difficulty walking, and persistent diarrhoea.
The age range of affected patients varies from 0 to 89 years, with the majority of cases occurring in individuals aged 20 to 29 (44 cases), followed by those aged 50 to 59 (30 cases) and 40 to 49 (29 cases).
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Pune GBS Outbreak: Measures
In response to the outbreak, the state health department has implemented several measures:
- Deployment of a rapid response team to affected areas.
- Enhanced surveillance in Pune and neighbouring regions.
- Testing of 6,977 water samples, revealing 85 contaminated sources.
- Launch of public health awareness campaigns about GBS symptoms and prevention.
- Encouragement for private practitioners to report suspected cases.
- Completion of house-to-house surveys covering 86,950 households in Pune and PCMC.
- Submission of 82 serum samples to NIMHANS Bengaluru for testing.