Guillain-Barre Syndrome Outbreak: Maharashtra Reports 225 Cases, Death Toll Reaches 12

Mumbai: Maharashtra has reported 225 cases and 12 deaths due to Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), with 197 confirmed cases and 28 under suspicion.

According to a report by ANI, the outbreak has led to 12 deaths, including six confirmed deaths and six suspected cases, according to state health authorities.

Among the reported cases, 179 patients have recovered and been discharged. However, 24 individuals remain in intensive care, with 15 requiring ventilator support.

The affected areas include the Pune Municipal Corporation, recently added villages, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, Pune Rural, and other districts.

The state government has heightened vigilance and surveillance efforts, and health officials are closely monitoring the situation.

It has been ensured that hospitals have adequate resources for affected patients.

Also Read: GBS Outbreak: Mumbai Records First Death of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Toll Reaches 8 in Maharashtra

Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that can cause muscle weakness and paralysis, often triggered by infections.

While most patients recover with timely medical intervention, severe cases may require prolonged hospitalization and ventilatory support.

Authorities have urged residents not to panic and are raising awareness about early symptoms. They are advising people to visit medical facilities if symptoms appear.

What Steps Is the Government Taking to Prevent the Outbreak?

A state-level rapid response team was immediately dispatched to the affected areas to assess the situation and coordinate mitigation efforts.

Public health officials in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pune Rural have been directed to increase surveillance activities.

Around 7,262 water samples from different parts of the city have been sent to the Public Health Laboratory for chemical and biological analysis.

So far, contamination has been detected in 144 water sources, prompting necessary corrective actions.

The government has also appealed to private medical practitioners to report any suspected GBS cases to the respective public health authorities for timely intervention.

The ANI report added that to increase monitoring, house-to-house surveillance has been carried out across multiple regions, covering 89,699 households—46,534 in the Pune Municipal Corporation, 29,209 in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), and 13,956 in Pune Rural.

Meanwhile, 82 serum samples have been sent to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru for antiganglioside antibody testing, which is crucial for diagnosing and understanding the outbreak's underlying causes.

Also Read: 5 New GBS Cases Reported in Pune, Tally Rises 197
 

Residents have been advised to ensure water quality by drinking only boiled water and consuming fresh, clean food. The public has been warned against eating stale or partially cooked food, particularly chicken and mutton, to prevent health risks.

The health department has reassured citizens that the situation is under control.

Officials have also requested that citizens refrain from sending water samples for independent testing. Instead, individuals seeking water quality assessments or information related to GBS should contact the Pune Municipal Corporation's designated helplines.

The state government continues to monitor the situation closely, reinforcing surveillance and medical response measures to contain the outbreak and ensure public safety.

(With inputs from ANI)