Guillain-Barré Syndrome Outbreak in Pune: 101 Cases Reported, 16 Critical, Link to Water Contamination Under Investigation
Guillain-Barré Syndrome Outbreak in Pune: 101 Cases Reported, 16 Critical, Link to Water Contamination Under Investigation ( Representational Image )
Pune, January 27: The number of reported Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases in Pune has surpassed 100, with a suspected GBS-related death reported in Solapur. Unverified reports suggest the deceased may have contracted the infection in Pune before traveling to Solapur.
According to the Maharashtra health department, 101 GBS cases have been identified across Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune rural, and nearby districts. Among these patients, 16 are currently on ventilator support. The gender distribution includes 68 males and 33 females.
A central team of health officials is scheduled to visit Pune on Monday to assess the situation. The state health department’s analysis revealed the following age-wise distribution of the cases:
- Under 9 years: 19 cases
- 10–19 years: 15 cases
- 20–29 years: 20 cases
- 30–39 years: 13 cases
- 40–49 years: 12 cases
- 50–59 years: 13 cases
- 60–69 years: 8 cases
- 70–80 years: 1 case
The outbreak has predominantly affected residents in areas such as Sinhagad Road, Khadakwasla, Dhayari, Kirkatwadi, and nearby regions. In response, water samples from multiple locations in Pune have been sent for chemical and biological testing to investigate potential sources of contamination.
In the initial stages of the outbreak, 23 blood samples were sent to the ICMR-National Institute of Virology for analysis. The samples tested negative for dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. However, nine out of 11 stool samples from GBS patients tested positive for norovirus, and three of these samples also showed the presence of Campylobacter jejuni bacterial infection.
The health department continues to monitor the situation closely as efforts to contain the outbreak intensify.
