Pune News: Contaminated Water Near Khadakwasla Suspected Cause Of Guillain-Barré Syndrome Outbreak, States Health Minister
Pune News: Contaminated Water Near Khadakwasla Suspected Cause Of Guillain-Barré Syndrome Outbreak, States Health Minister
Pune, January 28, 2025: Contaminated water sources near Khadakwasla are suspected to be the primary cause of the recent Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) outbreak in Pune, according to Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar. Speaking to the media on Monday, he assured that the state government has capped treatment costs at hospitals and increased funding under the Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Scheme to aid affected patients.
Outbreak Under Control
The minister stated that 80% of the cases are concentrated in specific areas recently merged into the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), which lack water treatment facilities. Abitkar also reported that 17 patients are currently on ventilator support, while 7 have been discharged. A total of 111 suspected cases are hospitalized, with one fatality reported in Solapur.
“These patients primarily come from the same region, making contaminated water the most probable cause of the outbreak,” Abitkar explained. The affected zone includes a cluster of 80 acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases, of which 21 are children under 15 years.
Civic Actions and Preventive Measures
To address the issue, PMC has taken immediate action to repair leaks, replace damaged drainage lines, and monitor water quality. A total of 12 leaks have been fixed, urgent repairs undertaken in five areas, and water supply from private tankers is under scrutiny. Approximately 180 water samples are being analyzed, and over 65,000 residents in the affected zones have been surveyed.
Shekhar Singh, Commissioner of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), confirmed that the number of water samples tested has been doubled. PCMC is also inspecting bottling plants and private wells to ensure water safety.
The state government has enhanced resources for GBS treatment by ensuring the availability of ventilators and medicines in PMC-run hospitals. Abitkar reassured citizens that steps are being taken to prevent hospitals from overcharging patients, urging them to seek treatment at empanelled hospitals.
Residents have been advised to boil water before consumption, as the state prepares a standard protocol for water treatment and monitoring.
This focused response by the government and civic bodies aims to contain the outbreak and improve water quality to prevent future incidents.
