Pune Reports 101 Suspected GBS Cases: Health Department Intensifies Efforts
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 27th January 2025: The Maharashtra Health Department has reported 101 suspected cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in Pune district, prompting an extensive public health response. The first suspected case in the Pune Circle was detected on January 9 in Kirkatwadi under the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).
Cases have since emerged across multiple localities, including Sinhagad Road, Khadakwasla, Nandedgaon, Nanded City, Dhayari, and Ambegaon within the PMC limits, as well as in Pimpri-Chinchwad and other districts.
Current Status of GBS Outbreak
As of January 26, the distribution of the 101 suspected cases is as follows:
Pune Rural: 61 cases.
Pune Municipal Corporation: 19 cases.
Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC): 15 cases.
Other districts: 6 cases.
Among these patients:
68 are men, and 33 are women.
41 patients are receiving treatment in intensive care units (ICUs), with 16 on ventilator support.
4 patients have recovered and been discharged.
1 patient from Solapur has died due to the infection.
Symptoms to Watch Out For
Citizens have been urged to be vigilant for the following symptoms:
Sudden weakness or paralysis in the legs or hands.
Difficulty walking or sudden onset of weakness.
Persistent diarrhea lasting several days.
Measures Undertaken by Authorities
The state-level rapid response team has been deployed to the affected areas to address the outbreak. Key measures include:
Extensive Surveys:
A house-to-house survey has been conducted across 25,578 households in the affected areas:
Pune Municipal Corporation: 15,761 houses.
Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation: 3,719 houses.
Pune Rural: 6,098 houses.
The survey identified 146 cases of Acute Diarrhea and Dysentery (ADD).
Water Testing:
183 water samples from the Water Supply Department were tested, with one found unfit for drinking.
21 water samples were tested by the Health Department, of which three were potable, six were unfit, and results for 12 samples are awaited.
Laboratory Testing:
23 blood samples tested negative for Zika, Dengue, and Chikungunya.
73 stool samples were tested for enteric viruses:
12 samples tested positive for Norovirus.
3 samples tested positive for Campylobacter jejuni.
19 samples were negative.
Results for 39 samples are pending.
Additional water samples have been sent for chemical and biological testing at the State Public Health Laboratory.
Awareness Campaigns:
Health education teams are conducting door-to-door awareness campaigns on disease prevention.
Private medical practitioners have been directed to report any GBS cases immediately.
Precautions for Citizens
Authorities have issued the following guidelines to prevent the spread of GBS:
Ensure drinking water is free from contamination; boil water if necessary.
Maintain proper hygiene while handling and consuming food.
Avoid storing cooked and uncooked food together.
If symptoms arise, visit the nearest government hospital promptly.
Appeal for Calm
The Health Department has assured citizens that proactive measures are in place to contain the outbreak. While the disease can be severe, early detection and treatment are critical. Citizens are encouraged not to panic and to follow all precautionary guidelines.
