Pune’s GBS Outbreak: 59 Cases Reported, PMC to Survey 2 Lakh Homes

Pune, 23rd January 2025: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has been instructed by the Maharashtra health department to conduct an extensive survey of approximately 2 lakh households in the Sinhagad Road region and surrounding areas. The move comes in response to a sharp rise in Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) cases being reported in Pune hospitals.

Health officials revealed that the number of hospitalized GBS patients has climbed to 59, a significant increase from the 24 cases reported earlier this week. The PMC began monitoring these cases on January 9, with most patients hailing from Sinhagad Road, Dhayari, and Kirkatwadi areas.

To determine the cause of the spike, survey teams will collect water samples from residential areas and interview residents. Experts suspect water contamination may be the root cause, leading to infections that triggered GBS symptoms such as limb weakness and, in severe cases, paralysis.

During a meeting held in Pune on Wednesday, Dr. Babita Kamalapurkar, joint director of the state health department, confirmed that 11 of the 59 GBS patients are on ventilator support. “We have deployed survey teams in Sinhagad Road, Dhayari, and Kirkatwadi to collect water samples from homes, tankers, and eateries for chemical and bacteriological testing. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also been alerted,” she said.

PMC health chief Dr. Neena Borade noted that many of the affected patients reported vomiting and diarrhea prior to their GBS diagnosis. “These cases are predominantly from neighborhoods along the Mutha riverbank. It is possible that others experienced initial symptoms but did not develop full-blown GBS,” she added.

At Sassoon General Hospital, 13 patients are currently receiving treatment for GBS symptoms. “Among them, 10 are adults and three are children, with three adults requiring ventilator support,” said Dr. Haridas Prasad, professor of internal medicine at the hospital.

Residents from affected areas have raised concerns about water quality.
Doctors and public health experts have urged Pune residents to boil drinking water as a precautionary measure. “Boiling water is critical to preventing waterborne infections, especially in areas with suspected contamination,” said a senior health official.

The National Institute of Virology (NIV) is analyzing samples from eight patients to determine the precise cause of the outbreak. Authorities hope the results will shed light on the underlying factors behind the surge in GBS cases.