A 40-year-old man in Maharashtra's Solapur district has become the first suspected death related to Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in the state. Health officials said the victim, who had been experiencing symptoms such as breathlessness, weakness in his lower limbs, and diarrhoea, passed away on Sunday after being admitted to a private hospital in Solapur on January 18.
Dr Sanjiv Thakur, Dean of Solapur Government Medical College, confirmed that the patient's clinical autopsy indicated a likely connection to GBS. Blood samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) for further testing.
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Meanwhile, the number of suspected GBS cases in Pune has risen to 110. Among the new cases reported, nine were added on Monday, with 13 patients currently on ventilator support. The majority of those affected are men (73), with 37 women also diagnosed. Authorities are conducting surveys across over 35,000 homes, and several stool and water samples have been sent to the NIV for testing.
Health Minister issues statement
State Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, in response to the situation, stressed that while GBS rarely causes death, precautions are being taken to avoid further casualties. He stated that 80% of the cases are from areas around a well in Nanded village, which supplies water to neighbouring villages. Abitkar assured that the health department and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) are working together to resolve water contamination issues, which are believed to be linked to the GBS outbreak.
The minister pointed out that the bacterium Campylobacter jejuni, which causes stomach infections, is commonly associated with GBS and can be contracted through contaminated water. He assured that measures are being taken to ensure a safe water supply, with clean drinking water provided by tankers to affected areas.
Pune's medical facilities are ramping up to address the surge in GBS cases. The PMC has established a 45-bed treatment facility at Kamla Nehru Hospital, and health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely. A Rapid Response Team (RRT) is conducting ongoing surveillance in the affected areas.
In a move to assist local authorities, the Centre has sent a seven-member team of experts to support the monitoring and management of the GBS outbreak.
Agency
Published: 28 Jan 2025, 01:20 pm IST
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