1 Feb 2025: Fact Recorder
The number of people affected by Guillain-Barré Syndrome is increasing in Maharashtra. Several cases have been reported in Pune. The Health Ministry has issued guidelines to help locals prevent it.
The number of suspected deaths from Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in Maharashtra has increased to 4, with 140 reported cases in the state. Health officials shared this information. On Thursday, a 36-year-old man died from pneumonia and respiratory issues at Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital in Pimpri-Chinchwad. The fourth suspected victim was a 60-year-old man from the Dhayari area on Sinhgad Road, who died on Friday. He had been admitted to the hospital on January 27 after suffering from diarrhea and weakness in his lower limbs.
The number of suspected deaths due to Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in Maharashtra has risen to 4, with 140 reported cases in the state. Health officials have shared this information. On Thursday, a 36-year-old man died due to pneumonia and respiratory issues at Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital in Pimpri-Chinchwad. The fourth suspected victim was a 60-year-old man from the Dhayari area on Sinhgad Road, who died on Friday. He had been admitted to the hospital on January 27 after experiencing diarrhea and weakness in his lower limbs.
A total of 26 patients are from Pune city, according to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Health Department. Health officials stated, “Of these, 78 patients are from newly added villages in the PMC area, 15 from Pimpri-Chinchwad, 10 from Pune rural, and 11 from other districts.” No new cases were reported on Friday. Most of the cases recorded in the state are from Pune and surrounding areas.
Water samples from 160 locations have been taken for chemical and biological analysis at the Public Health Laboratory. Guillain-Barré Syndrome is caused by drinking contaminated water. Samples from eight water sources in Pune were found to be contaminated. One sample from a private borewell in the Sinhgad Road area tested positive for E. coli bacteria.
Samples have also been taken from borewells and wells. Officials stated that the presence of E. coli in water indicates contamination by human or animal waste, which can lead to GBS infections. After an increase in GBS cases in Nanded, Kirektwadi, Dhayari, and Sinhgad Road areas, Pune Municipal Corporation has been collecting water samples from borewells and wells for investigation.
Instructions to add bleaching powder to the water have been given. Nandkishore Jagatap, head of the PMC Water Supply Department, said, “We have collected samples from private borewells and wells in the GBS-affected areas of Sinhgad Road. One sample tested positive for E. coli bacteria.” Jagatap added that a meeting was held two days ago with the operators of private tube wells and borewells, and they were instructed to use bleaching powder, provided by PMC, to control the bacteria.
