Special Correspondent
Pune: The Maharashtra health department has reported 101 confirmed cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) across Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune rural areas, and neighboring districts. Among the affected individuals, 16 patients are currently on ventilator support.
GBS Cases: Gender and Age Distribution
Gender Breakdown: 68 males and 33 females
Age-Wise Breakdown:
Under 9 years: 19 cases
10–19 years: 15 cases
20–29 years: 20 cases
30–39 years: 13 cases
40–49 years: 12 cases
50–59 years: 13 cases
60–69 years: 8 cases
70–80 years: 1 case
Affected Areas and Investigations
The outbreak has primarily impacted residents in Sinhagad Road, Khadakwasla, Dhayari, Kirkatwadi, and nearby regions. To identify possible sources of contamination, water samples from various locations in Pune have been collected for chemical and biological testing.
Preliminary Findings
Initial investigations yielded key findings:
23 blood samples were tested at the ICMR-National Institute of Virology, all of which were negative for dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses.
Stool sample analysis:
9 out of 11 samples tested positive for norovirus.
3 samples also indicated the presence of Campylobacter jejuni, a bacteria linked to gastrointestinal infections and a known trigger for GBS.
Response and Monitoring
Health officials are actively monitoring the situation, with containment efforts underway. A central health team is expected to visit Pune shortly to assess the outbreak and recommend additional measures.
The findings from the ongoing investigation and expert assessments are expected to guide further steps in controlling the outbreak and preventing similar incidents in the future.
