Pune Municipal Commissioner Inspects Suburbs Amid GBS Outbreak Concerns

Pune, 24th January 2025: A surge in cases of Guillian Barre Syndrome (GBS), a rare neurological disorder, has raised alarm across Pune, with the number of reported patients exceeding 60. Some patients are currently admitted to intensive care units (ICU). This escalating health crisis has prompted Municipal Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale and Additional Commissioner Prithviraj BP to personally inspect water sources in affected areas.

The inspections focused on the suburbs of Pune, particularly in Dhayari, Kirkatwadi, Nanded, and Narhe along Sinhagad Road, as well as parts of Hingne. These areas rely heavily on untreated water supplied by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), as they are classified as village zones. Contaminated water in these areas is suspected to be a major contributor to the outbreak, with many patients reportedly suffering from symptoms resembling paralytic ileus.

During the visit, Commissioner Bhosale and Additional Commissioner Prithviraj toured Nanded village, Nanded well, Dhayari, and DSK Vishwa. They engaged with residents to understand water-related issues, with many citizens expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of access to clean water despite years of incorporation into the municipal jurisdiction.

Residents pointed out that untreated water from wells and tankers remains a primary source, increasing the risk of contamination. The Commissioner directed immediate measures, including installing protective nets at Nanded well to prevent impurities from entering the water supply.