Wed Jan 29 03:12:51 UTC 2025: ## Pune’s Guillain-Barré Syndrome Outbreak Under Investigation

**Pune, India** – A surge in Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases in Pune, India, has prompted a major investigation by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Over 100 cases have been reported in Pune alone, with one suspected death in Solapur. The ICMR Director General, Dr. Rajiv Bahl, stated on Tuesday that the cause remains unknown, despite extensive testing of blood and stool samples from affected individuals.

While GBS is often linked to prior infections, testing at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune has revealed Campylobacter jejuni in four out of 21 samples and norovirus in others. However, Dr. Bahl noted that norovirus is not typically associated with GBS. He emphasized that a definitive cause is identified in only 40% of GBS cases, and the usual preceding infections haven’t been found in these patients.

A multi-disciplinary team from the Union Health Ministry, including experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), NIMHANS, and NIV, is working alongside state authorities to understand the outbreak and implement necessary interventions. The team is assessing the situation on the ground and will provide recommendations for public health measures.

Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, convened a meeting to address the situation. While GBS is a rare condition causing muscle weakness and numbness, officials stress that it is not expected to develop into an epidemic or pandemic, and most patients recover fully with treatment. Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the current outbreak in Pune.

Read More