Man suspected to have contracted Guillain-Barre Syndrome dies in Maharashtra; cases top 100 in Pune

The man, native of Solapur, had come to Pune, where he is suspected to have contracted the disease. He died in Solapur, an official said without giving more details.

Pune: The rising number of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) infections compounded with one death in Solapur has sparked health scare in Maharashtra even as the total cases in Pune and elsewhere in Maharashtra crossed the 100-mark on Monday.

According to the report of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme of the Public Health Department, the total number of suspected cases now stands at 101.

The Pune district has 96 cases while the rest six cases are from other districts.

In Pune, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) reported 81 cases, while the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) accounted for 14 cases.

Among the 101 cases, as many as 68 are men while 33 are women.

Of these, 16 patients are on ventilators.

“Water samples from different parts of the city have been sent for chemical and biological analysis to the Public Health Laboratory. Instructions have been given to increase health promotion activities,” official sources said.

“We will be giving free treatment to the patients affected by GBS.Those who are poor and cannot afford the treatment we have a scheme for them,” said PMC’s Municipal Commissioner Dr Rajendra Bhosale.

A central team of 7 medical experts from National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), National Institute of Virology, Pune and National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, visited Pune.

To investigate potential contamination, water samples from various areas of Pune have been sent for chemical and biological testing.

Weakness and tingling in the hands and feet are usually the first symptoms of the GBS. These sensations can quickly spread and may lead to paralysis.

The Neurological Society of Pune too has sounded an alert in the wake of the rising cases and asked people to be careful.

Pune’s Divisional Commissioner Dr Chandrakant Pulkundwar, who oversees the Western Maharashtra region, is holding regular review meetings in the wake of the emerging situation.

The state’s Health department’s Rapid Response Team is looking into the issue.

“The Centre’s team will work closely with the State Health Departments and take stock of on-ground situations and recommend necessary public health interventions. The Union Health Ministry is taking proactive steps by monitoring the situation and coordinating with the State,” said officials.