Mumbai: Following the first reported death from Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) in the state, the Maharashtra government has urged citizens to remain calm and seek medical attention at government hospitals if they experience any symptoms.
The state public health department reported 110 suspected GBS cases, with one confirmed death. Currently, eight cases have been officially diagnosed as GBS.
Of the suspected cases, 88 are from Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), 15 from Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), and seven from other districts. Among the suspected patients, 73 are men and 37 are women, with 13 requiring ventilator support.
On January 27, nine new suspected GBS cases were reported, including seven from PMC, one from PCMC, and one from another district.
The deceased was a Pune-based Chartered Accountant from the DSK Vishwa area in Dhayari, who had been experiencing diarrhea for several days. After traveling to his native village in Solapur district, he began feeling extreme weakness and was admitted to a private hospital, where he was diagnosed with GBS. Although he showed signs of improvement and was moved out of the ICU, he later encountered breathing difficulties and passed away, according to family members.
GBS is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system, leading to muscle weakness and potentially paralysis. Common symptoms include sudden weakness in limbs, difficulty walking, and prolonged diarrhea.
The public health department has initiated several measures, including deploying a state-level rapid response team to the affected areas and instructing local authorities to enhance surveillance efforts. They have tested 44 stool samples for enteric viruses, with 14 positive for Norovirus and five for Campylobacter. Additionally, 59 blood samples were sent for testing, all of which were negative for Zika, Dengue, and Chikungunya.
Chemical and biological analyses of 34 water samples revealed contamination in seven sources. The department has increased health promotion activities and requested private practitioners to report any GBS cases to public health authorities.
Officials emphasized that there is no need for panic, as the health department is ready to implement preventive measures. Surveillance efforts have already covered 35,068 households in the affected areas, and citizens are advised to maintain water quality, drink boiled water, keep food fresh and clean, and prevent cross-contamination between cooked and uncooked foods.