Pune is facing a rise in suspected Guillain-Barré Syndrome cases, with many patients needing critical care and health officials on alert
Right now, around 70 suspected GBS patients are being treated across various hospitals in the district. Out of these, 44 are in the ICU, and 30 are on oxygen support, while 14 are on ventilators.
Just on Friday, six new cases were reported, bringing the total to 73. This includes cases from Pune rural, Pimpri Chinchwad, and even a few from outside the district.
Among the patients, there are 48 males and 25 females, with some very young and elderly patients in critical condition. They’re receiving care at several hospitals, including Deenanath Mangeshkar and Sahyadri Hospital.
To tackle this outbreak, the public health department has issued advisories for containment and management. Dr. Nina Borade mentioned that they’ve set up around 100 teams to monitor the situation and are testing water samples for contamination.
GBS is a serious condition where the immune system attacks the nerves, leading to weakness and even paralysis. The exact cause isn’t clear, but it often follows a viral or bacterial infection.
Interestingly, some patients have tested positive for Campylobacter jejuni, a bacteria that can trigger GBS. Experts are still trying to figure out the source of this contamination.
