NIV Confirms Contaminated Water Behind GBS Surge In Pune; PMC Seals RO Plants
Pune: Banned RO Plants Resume Operations in Dhayari, Nanded Amid GBS Outbreak – Check List of Suspended Facilities
Pune, February 6, 2025 – The National Institute of Virology (NIV) has confirmed that contaminated water is the primary cause of the recent spike in Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases in Pune. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) received an NIV report highlighting water contamination in affected areas as the main factor behind the surge.
Following a video conference between civic, state health officials, and NIV representatives, additional municipal commissioner Prithviraj B. P. stated that the institute provided guidelines for addressing the issue. The NIV recommended that PMC increase the water sample size from 100 milliliters to two liters for testing and ensure a minimum chlorine level of 0.3 PPM in household water. However, the PMC assured that it is already supplying 0.6 PPM chlorinated water. The NIV also advised collecting and storing stool samples from GBS patients for further examination.
To contain the outbreak, the civic administration has sealed 25 private reverse osmosis (RO) plants in the Sinhagad Road area after their water samples tested positive for contamination. Additionally, PMC is considering setting up a small water treatment plant in the affected region until a larger facility is established. The municipal body also plans to introduce a standard operating procedure (SOP) for all RO plants in the city to ensure compliance with water safety norms.
