Mon Jan 27 11:09:27 UTC 2025: ## Central Team Deployed to Maharashtra Amidst Rise in Guillain-Barré Syndrome Cases

**Pune, Maharashtra, January 27, 2025** – A surge in Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases in Maharashtra has prompted the central government to deploy a seven-member expert team to assist the state in managing the outbreak. The move follows reports of over 100 confirmed cases in Pune alone, with 16 patients currently on ventilator support. One suspected GBS-related death has also been reported in Solapur.

Health officials in Pune confirmed that the number of GBS cases rose to 101 on Sunday, affecting 68 men and 33 women. The suspected death in Solapur involved a man who reportedly contracted the disease in Pune before succumbing to the illness. A rapid response team (RRT) and the Pune Municipal Corporation’s health department are actively conducting surveillance in the affected Sinhgad Road area.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the peripheral nerves, causing muscle weakness that can progress to paralysis. While it can affect people of all ages, it is more common in adults and men. Doctors have attributed the recent increase to preceding bacterial or viral infections that weaken the immune system. They stress that while GBS is prevalent in both pediatric and young adult populations, it is not expected to develop into an epidemic or pandemic, and most patients recover fully with appropriate treatment.

The state health department established the RRT after an initial cluster of 24 suspected cases was identified. The central government’s deployment of expert support underscores the seriousness of the situation and commitment to controlling the outbreak.

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