National Institute of Virology Confirms Contaminated Water Behind Pune’s GBS Surge
Pune, 6th February 2025: A recent investigation by the National Institute of Virology (NIV) has revealed that contaminated water is the primary cause of the increasing cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in Pune. The findings were presented during a joint meeting held yesterday between the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), NIV officials, and representatives from Maharashtra’s Public Health Department.
NIV’s water sample analysis conclusively linked the GBS outbreak to polluted water supplies. To further investigate the sudden rise in cases, NIV will now collect 2-litre water samples instead of the previous 100ml for more comprehensive testing. PMC’s water supplies are maintained at 0.6-0.7 ppm chlorine, exceeding the recommended 0.3 ppm for safe distribution.
Some private hospitals have reportedly not cooperated with NIV officials in collecting patient samples. Instructions have been issued to ensure their compliance.
PMC is considering setting up a small-scale water treatment plant with a capacity of 1 million litres per day (MLD) for affected areas, including Nanded City, Nandoshi, Kirkatwadi, Sanas Nagar, and DSK Vishwa. Additionally, the PMC plans to develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants in Pune to ensure water quality.
While GBS cases have been observed previously, the current surge has prompted further investigation. NIV will continue to study why there has been a significant increase in cases recently. PMC is expected to implement NIV’s recommendations promptly, with decisions on the new water treatment project anticipated within a month.
