GBS Cases in Pune Reach 111; Authorities Focus on 8 Polluted Water Sources

Pune, 28th January 2025: The Public Health Department has raised concerns over the rising cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system. So far, 111 suspected GBS cases have been identified, including one death. Of these, 31 have been confirmed as GBS.

The cases have been reported from across Pune, with 20 patients from Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) areas, 66 from newly added villages in PMC, 12 from Pimpri-Chinchwad, five from Pune Rural, and eight from other districts. Among the total patients, 77 are men and 34 are women, with 13 individuals currently on ventilator support.

Understanding Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
GBS is characterized by sudden muscle weakness, difficulty walking, and, in severe cases, paralysis. Common symptoms include:
Sudden weakness in hands or legs
Paralysis or trouble walking
Persistent diarrhea
Measures Implemented

The Public Health Department has taken swift action to address the outbreak:
A state-level rapid response team visited the affected areas immediately.
PMC and district authorities have ramped up surveillance activities.

Stool samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune, with 17 samples testing positive for Norovirus and five for Campylobacter.
Blood samples (76 in total) were tested for Zika, Dengue, and Chikungunya, with all returning negative results.
Water samples from 110 locations across the city were analyzed, and eight sources were found to be contaminated.
Health promotion activities have been intensified, and private medical practitioners have been asked to report any GBS cases to public health authorities.
House-to-house surveillance was conducted, covering 45,052 households in Pune and surrounding areas.

Guidance for Citizens
To prevent further spread, citizens are urged to take the following precautions:
Drink only boiled water to ensure safety.
Consume fresh, clean, and fully cooked food.
Avoid stale or partially cooked food, especially chicken and mutton.