Mon Jan 27 16:37:48 UTC 2025: ## Pune Investigates Guillain-Barré Syndrome Outbreak Linked to Water Supply Concerns

**PUNE, INDIA** – A surge in Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases in Pune, Maharashtra, has prompted the state government to launch an investigation. Of the 101 GBS cases reported as of Sunday, 81 originated in areas recently incorporated into the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) limits. This has raised concerns about the safety of the water supply in these newly merged areas.

The PMC, while claiming its water is free of GBS-causing bacteria, faces scrutiny due to its provision of largely untreated water to many of the 34 villages added to its jurisdiction since 2017. The rapid expansion of the PMC, now the largest civic body in Maharashtra, has strained its infrastructure and water resources. The corporation currently supplies only 93.86 million liters of water daily to these villages, significantly less than the required 321.50 million liters. Much of this water is raw water from the Khadakwasla Dam, chlorinated but not fully treated.

While laboratory tests of water samples from several locations showed no presence of harmful bacteria, concerns remain about the quality of water distributed through pipelines and private tankers. Reports of private tankers supplying treated sewage water have further fueled apprehension.

The PMC has initiated additional water testing and urged residents to boil their water before consumption. A massive Rs 2,400 crore project to improve water infrastructure in the expanded city limits is underway, but significant portions are yet to be completed. The investigation will examine the potential link between the water supply and the GBS outbreak.

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