It is a rare autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks nerves, and symptoms include weakness, paralysis, and impaired motor function
GUWAHATI: The Maharashtra health department announced on January 26 Sunday, a suspected death linked to the Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) outbreak in Solapur, marking a potential first fatality as cases spiked to 101, with 28 new infections confirmed.
The department’s daily bulletin did not provide further details about the death.
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Sixteen of the diagnosed patients are on ventilators, while 19 cases involve children under nine years old. An additional 23 cases fall within the 50-80 age range. The first suspected GBS case in the Pune cluster was reported on January 9. Tests have identified the presence of Campylobacter jejuni in samples from hospitalised patients, a bacterium responsible for about one-third of GBS cases globally and linked to severe infections.
Authorities are conducting water quality tests across Pune, particularly in areas with high case concentrations. Results released Saturday indicated elevated E. coli levels in a well near Khadakwasla Dam, the city’s primary water reservoir. However, officials noted uncertainty about whether the well is currently in use. Residents have been urged to boil drinking water and thoroughly heat food.
Surveillance efforts have covered 25,578 households as of Sunday, aiming to detect additional cases and identify the outbreak's source. Typically, GBS cases in the region are limited to two per month, making this surge particularly unusual.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks nerves, often triggered by bacterial or viral infections. Symptoms include weakness, paralysis, and impaired motor function. While 80% of patients recover the ability to walk within six months of hospital discharge, some may take over a year to regain full mobility.
Treatment involves immunoglobulin (IVIG) injections, which are costly. A single injection costs approximately ₹20,000, and patients may require multiple doses. For instance, a 68-year-old patient hospitalised on January 16 required a 13-injection course, totaling ₹2.6 lakh.
Three major hospitals in Pune raised alarms after detecting an unusual spike in GBS cases, reporting 26 cases on January 10. By Friday, the count surged to 73, with cases continuing to rise.
To address the crisis, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced free treatment for GBS patients. “Considering the high cost of treatment, we have decided to provide free care. Pimpri-Chinchwad residents will be treated at YCM Hospital, Pune city patients at Kamla Nehru Hospital, and rural patients at Sassoon Hospital,” Pawar stated after consultations with district officials.
