GBS: Pune Sees 12th Fatality Linked to Guillain-Barré Syndrome Outbreak
Pune, 8th March 2025: The number of deaths attributed to Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in Pune has risen to 12, following the passing of a 38-year-old man at Sassoon General Hospital. The patient, who had recently moved to Pune from West Bengal, had been initially treated at Sane Guruji Hospital in Hadapsar before being transferred to Sassoon Hospital for advanced care.
The deceased, a resident of Manjari, was diagnosed with acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP), a common variant of GBS that affects the protective nerve covering, leading to progressive weakness, numbness, and potential paralysis. His condition deteriorated, and he succumbed to suspected GBS complications on March 3 at 12:45 PM, though his death was officially reported by the health department on March 7.
A doctor from Sane Guruji Hospital recounted the patient’s arrival, stating, “He was brought to us around 3 AM on February 26, complaining of severe back pain and an inability to stand. He could still speak, but his muscle control was compromised. Given our lack of emergency MRI facilities, we referred him to Sassoon Hospital for further management.”
The official added that it was unclear whether the patient had visited any of the areas linked to previous GBS cases.
A medical expert from Sassoon Hospital provided additional details, explaining, “By the time he reached us, his condition was already critical. He had complete paralysis in all four limbs, weakened neck muscles, and signs of autonomic dysfunction, including unstable blood pressure and heart rate. Despite being administered IV immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy for four days, his condition did not improve.” The official noted that the patient had suffered from diarrhea prior to admission, which is often considered a potential precursor to GBS.
Authorities continue to investigate whether the patient was part of the ongoing outbreak or among sporadic GBS cases that occur annually. An official remarked, “Some of our recent patients have not exhibited typical preceding symptoms like diarrhea or upper respiratory infections, suggesting they may have had silent infections.”
The overall GBS case count in Pune has now reached 225, with one additional hospitalization recorded on March 8. Health officials reported that this latest case was outside the initially affected areas within Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) limits, marking a spread beyond the outbreak clusters.
According to a health department update, 12 deaths have been linked to GBS so far, with six confirmed as GBS fatalities and six classified as suspected cases. Authorities provided the following breakdown of cases:
46 cases from core PMC areas
95 cases from newly merged PMC villages
33 cases from Pimpri-Chinchwad (PCMC)
37 cases from Pune Rural
14 cases from other districts
Of the total cases, 179 patients have been discharged, and no adult GBS patients at Sassoon Hospital are currently on ventilators. Officials continue to monitor the situation while reinforcing public awareness about the syndrome and its potential triggers.
