GBS cases surge to 170, WHO provides support to Pune medical staff 

File photo for representational purpose.
| Photo Credit: PRASHANTNAKWE

The suspected cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in Pune have surged to 170, with five suspected deaths of GBS until Wednesday. World Health Organisation (WHO) is providing support to Maharashtra’s health authorities to combat the GBS epidemic in Pune.

According to Pune medical officials, WHO teams have been providing technical and on-ground field support. They have been guiding healthcare workers in active case searches in the community and helping medical staff identify and treat suspected GBS patients.

Among the 170 patients, 132 have been diagnosed as confirmed GBS cases, 61 are in the ICU, and 20 are on ventilators. Of the 33 patients from Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), 86 are from newly added villages in the PMC area, 22 are from Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), 21 are from Pune Rural, and eight are from other districts. 62 patients have been discharged as of Wednesday. Four new suspected GBS cases were reported on Wednesday. 

Maharashtra State Health Department has called Pune’s outbreak of the GBS waterborne.

The State-level rapid response team conducted house-to-house surveillance activities. So far the team has surveyed 45,034 houses in PMC, 19,232 houses in PCMC and 13,089 houses in Pune rural areas.

After chemical and biological analysis of 173 water samples at the Public Health Laboratory, 33 water sources were found to be contaminated. 63 serum samples have been sent to NIMHANS Bengaluru for antiganglioside antibodies testing.