Tue Feb 18 08:58:49 UTC 2025: ## Maharashtra GBS Outbreak: Contaminated Water, Not Chicken, Blamed by Experts

**MUMBAI, INDIA (February 18, 2025)** – A surge in Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases across India, particularly in Maharashtra, has sparked misinformation campaigns on social media falsely linking the autoimmune disease to the consumption of non-vegetarian food. Experts strongly refute this claim, emphasizing that contaminated water is the primary culprit behind the outbreak.

Over 200 GBS cases have been reported nationwide, with Maharashtra experiencing a significant cluster. While Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar cautioned against consuming undercooked non-vegetarian food, his statement has been misinterpreted and amplified online, leading to widespread fear and the dissemination of inaccurate information.

Leading neurologists and gastroenterologists have categorically stated that there is no direct causal link between GBS and non-vegetarian food. Dr. Sudhir Kumar of Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad, and Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, former president of the Indian Medical Association’s Cochin chapter, both affirmed that while Campylobacter jejuni bacteria, often found in contaminated food and water, can in rare instances trigger GBS, the connection is indirect and extremely unlikely. They stress that the primary concern should be improving sanitation and ensuring access to clean water.

Maharashtra officials have confirmed that contaminated water samples from affected households, many lacking proper chlorination, have tested positive for Campylobacter jejuni, directly linking the outbreak to waterborne infection. This evidence contradicts the social media narrative focusing on non-vegetarian food.

Doctors criticize the government’s response, pointing out that diverting attention from the lack of clean water and proper sanitation undermines efforts to effectively control the outbreak. They urge responsible reporting by the media, warning against sensationalism and the spread of misinformation that fuels unnecessary fear and panic. The experts call for improved sanitation infrastructure and a commitment to providing clean drinking water as the crucial steps to curb the GBS cases. The long-term impact of the misinformation campaign and the lack of a centralized GBS reporting system also remain concerns.

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