Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Pune Records 59 Cases, 12 On Ventilator Support; Water Samples Sent For Testing

Stool and blood samples of patients have been sent for examination at the National Virology Laboratory Pune. Water samples from various parts of Pune will be examined at the state's public health lab.

Samples of water from various parts of Pune have been collected and sent for examination to the state's public health laboratory.

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A total of 59 people in Pune have been diagnosed with the Guillain-Barré Syndrome, an neurological disorder, which has seen a sudden rise in the district. Pune Divisional Commissioner Dr Chandrakant Pulkundwar said that 12 of these patients are on ventilator support due to complications arising from the rare disorder.

The announcement was made by Pulkundwar at a meeting of the state and civic health officials to review the current situation. Of the 59 patients, 33 are from Pune Rural, 12 from Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation area, 11 from within municipal corporation limits, and three from other districts.

11 patients are aged between 0-9, 12 are in the 10-19 age group, seven are in the 20-29 age group, whole eight patinets are aged between 30-39. Besides them, eight patients are in the 40-49 age group, seven are from 60-69, and one from 70-80. Thee are 21 women and 38 men, who have been diagnosed with GBS.

GBS is a nerological disorder and is named after two French neurologists Georges Guillain and Jean-Alexandre Barre. Its distinct features were described almost a century ago in 1916.

As the Pune authorities are investigating the reason behind the outbreak of this rare condition, a quick response team visited affected areas to carry out surveillance in Pune Municipal areas. The team has also been ordered to visit other affected areas within the district.

Stool and blood samples of patients have been collected and sent for examination at the National Virology Laboratory Pune. Additionally, water samples from various parts of the district have also been collected to examine its chemical and biological parameters. These samples have been sent to the state's public health laboratory.

People Urged To Boil Water Before Consumption, Avoid Stale And Exposed Food 

The Pune administration have instructed to disseminate information to the public and create awareness of the Gullain Barre Syndrome. Private hospitals and health facilities have been instructed to inform government health officials if and when they come across a GBS patient.

People have been urged to stay calm and not panic as the health department is ready with its preventive action plan in place.

The people in the district have been asked to boil water before consumption and avoid eating uncovered, exposed, and stale food altogether.

They have also been asked to seek medical help or approach any government hospital if they notice sudden and progrssive weakness in the muscles of your limbs.

GBS is a rare condition that causes sudden numbness and muscle weakness, and might even cause symptoms like severe weakness in the limbs. According to Dr Nina Borade, chief of the civic health department, bacterial and viral infections generally lead to GBS as they weaken the immunity of patients, PTI reported. A common risk factor for the disorder is infection from a bacteria called Campylobacter jejuni. However, only one in every 1,000 people with Campylobacter infection gets GBS.

She also said that the treatment for GBS does not require a separate treatment. Antibiotics, IV fluids, and treatments for paralysis are generally sufficient as this disease is self-limiting and recoverable.