Fri Jan 24 19:38:06 IST 2025: ## Pune Grapples with Surge in Guillain-Barré Syndrome Cases

**Pune, Maharashtra, India** – A significant rise in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) cases in Pune has prompted a public health response. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) reports 67 confirmed cases within a week, with 13 patients currently on ventilator support. This surge has led the state health department to establish a Rapid Response Team to investigate the outbreak.

Samples from affected individuals have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) for testing. The majority of cases (43 men and 24 women) are concentrated in the Sinhagad Road, Dhayari, and Kirkatwadi areas, with a large number of patients aged 12-30. Most are hospitalized at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, Nevale Hospital, and Pune Hospital.

Patients initially experienced symptoms consistent with a gastrointestinal infection, including diarrhea and abdominal discomfort, leading health authorities to suspect contaminated food or water as the source. Dr. Padmanabh Keskar, a Pune emergency medical expert, noted that respiratory problems and muscle weakness requiring ICU admission were prevalent among patients.

GBS, a rare autoimmune disorder, often follows a viral or bacterial infection. While the precise cause remains unknown, the suspected culprit in this outbreak is *Campylobacter jejuni*, a bacterium commonly found in poultry and spread through contaminated food and water. Although *C. jejuni* is typically self-limiting, severe cases can lead to complications like GBS. Health officials note that while the bacteria is chlorine-resistant, water from the Khadakwasla dam and gram panchayat wells undergoes chlorination before distribution. Further water sample analysis is underway.

While GBS is not a new disease, health officials acknowledge the sharp increase is concerning. Dr. Nina Borade, Civic Health Department Chief, assures the public that the situation is not an epidemic or pandemic and most patients recover with treatment. She emphasizes that a committee of experts is actively investigating the outbreak and conducting detailed patient surveillance.

Preventive measures include proper cooking of meat, preventing cross-contamination, frequent hand washing, and drinking clean water. Individuals experiencing sudden weakness in limbs, difficulty walking, numbness, or persistent diarrhea (especially bloody) should seek immediate medical attention.

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