Kolkata: In response to Maharashtra’s report of one death and 110 suspected cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, the West Bengal Health Department reassured the public on Tuesday that there is no reason to be alarmed about the neurological disorder in the state.
Health Secretary Narayan Swarup Nigam stated that Guillain-Barre Syndrome is not a new condition, noting that there have been occasional reports of cases in the past. He emphasized that West Bengal has not seen any new cases since December 2024, and there is no cause for concern.
Nigam mentioned that the World Health Organization (WHO) has corroborated his statements. He highlighted that the syndrome generally affects children under 15 years of age, but assured that the state’s medical teams are monitoring the situation closely.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome is characterized by rapid muscle weakness due to the immune system attacking the peripheral nervous system. Meanwhile, Maharashtra’s government has urged citizens not to panic and to seek medical attention at government hospitals if they experience any related symptoms.
Of the 110 reported cases in Maharashtra, 88 are from Pune, 15 from Pimpri, and the remaining seven from other districts. Among these cases, 73 are men and 37 are women, with 13 individuals currently on ventilators.