Well Water Linked to 80% of Guillain-Barré Syndrome Cases in Nanded

A well supplying water to nearby villages may be behind a surge in GBS cases, raising health concerns among residents.

Well Water Linked to 80% of Guillain-Barré Syndrome Cases in Nanded
Well Water Linked to 80% of Guillain-Barré Syndrome Cases in Nanded

PUNE: So, there’s this well in Nanded village that’s been around for over 50 years. It supplies water to nearby areas, but it’s causing a real stir. Apparently, 80% of the Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases reported are from around this well. The state health minister, Prakash Abitkar, dropped this bombshell during a visit to check on the situation.

Local folks say the well gets untreated water from Khadakwasla, and it’s pumped straight to places like Kirkatwadi and Dhayari without any cleaning. That’s pretty concerning, right? It used to be maintained by the Gram Panchayat, but since the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) took over in 2021, things have gone downhill. Residents are worried that this well is the source of a nasty bacterium that can lead to GBS.

Kajal Hagawane, a former deputy sarpanch, thinks the PMC should step up and fix the well. It’s right by the road and needs a proper wall to keep it safe from contamination. Gokul Karanjawane, another local leader, is calling for a filtration plant since they’re not getting regular chlorination. But the PMC is pushing back, saying they do chlorinate the water.

Nand Kishore Jagtap from the PMC mentioned that the well is on private land, which complicates things for setting up a filtration plant. Umesh Pangavhane, a resident, shared that many people in his area are dealing with stomach issues, and they believe it’s due to the contaminated water. They’re paying taxes but feel like they’re not getting the basic services they deserve.

Bharat Pancharya, another local, challenged PMC officials to live in the area for a month to see the situation for themselves. He’s frustrated with the lack of action, especially since there have been over 20 GBS cases reported nearby.

Narendra Hagawane, also a former deputy sarpanch, pointed out that nearby resorts are dumping wastewater into the reservoir, which could be affecting the well. Jagtap claims they’re testing the water regularly and haven’t found any bacteria yet. He assured that they’re taking steps to ensure clean water is provided.

Sadly, there’s been a suspected GBS-related death in Solapur, which has raised alarms. With 111 GBS cases reported in Pune, locals are demanding better maintenance of the well. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is now looking into the matter after hearing the concerns during a cabinet meeting. It’s a tough situation, and the community is hoping for some real solutions soon.

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