Pune Guillain-Barre Syndrome outbreak: Symptoms, how fatal is it, possible reason for outbreak

Around 70 suspected cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), an immunological nerve disorder have been detected in Pune, prompting the state health department to form a team to investigate the sudden rise in this disease. According to the civic officials, most of these cases were detected in the Sinhgad Road area of the city.

What is GBS?

GBS is a rare condition that causes sudden numbness and muscle weakness, with symptoms including severe weakness in the limbs, loose motions etc. Bacterial and viral infections generally lead to GBS as they weaken the immunity of patients, as per doctors.

Is it fatal and is another pandemic upon us?

While most of the time people fully recover even in the most severe cases, there are chances that a small number of patients may die of complications such as blood infection, lung clots or troubled breathing.

Even though pediatric and young-age groups are susceptible to the virus, officials believe that GBS will not lead to a pandemic or an epidemic, since with treatment, most people recover fully from the condition.

What is the cause behind GBS?

While the exact cause behind this rare syndrome has not yet been ascertained, what is known as of now is that most cases follow an infection with a virus or bacteria that leads to the immune system attacking the body. It is also possible for people to develop GBS after having a flu. As per reports, water contamination is suspected to be the reason behind the Pune outbreak.

What are the Symptoms of GBS

The first symptom of the syndrome is weakness or tingling sensations, that most often start in the legs and later can spread to the arms and face. In some cases, the patients may even face paralysis of the legs, arms, or muscles in the face, as per a WHO report. "The ability to speak and swallow may become affected in severe cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome. These cases are considered life-threatening, and affected individuals should be treated in intensive-care units," the report further adds.

What steps is the state government taking?

The state health department has formed a Rapid Response Team (RRT) to investigate the sudden rise of GBS cases in Pune city and peri-urban areas, the officials said. Dr Babasaheb Tandale, scientist from the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Dr Premchand Kambale, Joint Director of Health Services, Dr Rajesh Karyekarte, HOD of Department of Microbiology of B J Medical College, Dr Bhalchandra Pradhan, state epidemiologist and others are part of the RRT. "A detailed surveillance of the patients will be conducted. There is no need for panic as of now," Dr Borade said.

What has the NIV found in the samples so far?

The presence of norovirus and the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni have been found in 21 samples of 21 Guillain-Barré patients, as per a report in The Times of India.

Both Campylobacter jejuni and norovirus are known to cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea among those infected, all the symptoms that the Pune patients have been experiencing.

(With PTI inputs)