Special Correspondent

Pune: The outbreak of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in Pune continues to escalate, with a second fatality reported in the Nanded Phata area. A 55-year-old woman, who was undergoing treatment at Sassoon Hospital, succumbed to the illness.

The affected areas, including Nanded, Kirkatwadi, Nandoshi-Sanasnagar, and Dhayari along Sinhagad Road, have seen a surge in GBS cases. Most of the affected individuals are from localities receiving water from a well in Nanded Phata. The deceased woman had been admitted to Sassoon Hospital with symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, and weakness but did not survive.

This is the second GBS-related death in Pune, following the demise of a chartered accountant from DSK Vishva who was undergoing treatment in Solapur. With these latest cases, the total number of GBS patients in Pune has now reached 101.

Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, who recently reviewed the situation, revealed alarming findings. He stated that 80% of the reported cases were from areas dependent on water from the same well, strongly indicating that contaminated water could be the root cause of the outbreak.

In response, the Health Minister has directed the municipal corporation to take immediate measures to ensure clean drinking water for residents. He personally inspected the water sources in Nanded and visited GBS patients admitted at Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital and Sassoon General Hospital.

Speaking at a press conference, Minister Abitkar emphasized the urgency of containing the outbreak. He noted that uncovered wells or other sources of contamination could be leading to bacterial and viral infections, which may be triggering GBS cases. The government has instructed all relevant authorities to implement necessary preventive measures to stop further spread.

While GBS cases have been reported in Maharashtra before, experts assure that with proper medical treatment, most patients recover. Authorities have urged citizens not to panic but to remain cautious, particularly about water safety.