Mon Jan 27 23:47:46 IST 2025: ## First Guillain-Barre Syndrome Death Reported in Maharashtra Amidst Pune Outbreak
**Pune, Maharashtra –** Maharashtra reported its first death from Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) today, a 40-year-old man from Solapur who is believed to have contracted the rare neurological disorder in Pune. The death comes as the number of GBS cases in Pune’s Sinhgad area surpasses 100, prompting a response from the Union health ministry. A team has been dispatched to investigate the outbreak.
GBS is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system. Symptoms typically begin with weakness and tingling in the legs, progressing to the arms and face. Severe cases can lead to paralysis and respiratory difficulties. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the need for immediate hospitalization for those exhibiting symptoms, which can develop rapidly over days or weeks.
The Maharashtra state health department has issued an advisory recommending preventative measures such as consuming boiled or bottled water, thoroughly washing produce, properly cooking meat and poultry, and avoiding raw or undercooked foods. Maintaining good hygiene practices, including frequent handwashing, is also stressed. The department is working to contain the spread of the disease.
First Piper 