Pune: GBS Outbreak Declines; 80% of Patients Recover; 183 Out Of 230 Patients Discharged

Pune, 18th March 2025: The recent outbreak of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), which began in early January, has started to decline by March. As of March 16, a total of 230 cases were diagnosed, out of which 183 patients (80%) have recovered and returned home. Currently, 35 patients (15%) are still undergoing treatment, while 12 patients (5%) have succumbed to the illness. Health officials have reported a decrease in new cases and fatalities, offering a sense of relief.

The first surge of GBS cases was reported in Pune’s Sinhagad Road area during the New Year week. Patients initially experienced symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea, followed by muscle weakness and a condition similar to paralysis in their limbs. By the end of January, the city had recorded around 130 cases, with an average of four to five new patients being admitted daily.

On 27th January, the outbreak claimed its first victim—a young chartered accountant from Dhayari, who died in Solapur, raising public concern. By February, the number of cases had surged to 221. However, March saw only nine new cases, bringing the total count to 230.

As the number of cases grew, the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) Health Department, along with the state Epidemiology and Water Supply Departments, launched an investigation. Samples of water, blood, urine, and stool from affected patients were sent for testing. The results revealed the presence of Campylobacter jejuni—a bacterium linked to GBS—in some samples. Contaminated water sources were also identified, including a well in Nanded that lacked proper disinfection measures.

Though the outbreak is subsiding, some patients remain in critical condition. Currently:
– 16 patients are on ventilator support, categorized as high-risk cases.
– 24 patients are receiving intensive care unit (ICU) treatment.
– On average, two to three patients recover weekly.

Dr. Amit Dravid, a HIV and Infectious Disease Specialist at Noble Hospital thanked the PMC for the necessary preventive measures taken regarding water supply, the chances of another GBS outbreak in the future appear low. “However, while most patients have recovered, many still struggle with lingering weakness in their limbs. Some require wheelchair support for mobility,” he added further.

GBS Statistics in Pune:
Total cases: 230
– Pune City: 46
– Newly included Villages: 95
– Pimpri-Chinchwad: 34
– Pune Rural: 40
– Other: 15

– Patients in ICU: 24
– On Ventilator Support: 16
– Recovered Patients: 183
– Deaths: 12