
In a first, Maharashtra has recorded a death due to Guillain-Barre Syndrome-related symptoms, after a Chartered Accountant from Pune succumbed. The resident of DSK Vishwa had been suffering from diarrhea for a few days before going to his native village in Solapur district for a personal visit.
Feeling weakness all over his body, he was admitted to a private hospital in Solapur, where doctors diagnosed him as suffering from GBS. He was shifted to the ICU, where he responded to the treatment and was brought back to above general observation on Saturday. However, he suffered from respiratory problems later in the day and died, the relatives said.
GBS is a rare neurological disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the nerves, causing sudden numbness and muscle weakness. Of late, Pune has been in the headlines with a spurt in GBS cases, reporting 73 confirmed patients, including 14 on ventilators. Nine more suspected cases were detected on Saturday alone.
The Pune Municipal Corporation has begun emergency measures following the outbreak. Common symptoms of GBS may include diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and nausea, health officials said. Diarrhea and abdominal pain appear to be from contaminated food or water being a major source of infection. Afterwards, in one to three weeks following the initial symptoms, the immune response escalates into GBS in some cases.
The state health department has issued advisories to consume boiled water and avoid eating food from open sources or that may be stale. Citizens experiencing sudden muscle weakness in their arms or legs are encouraged to consult their family doctor or visit the nearest government hospital.
A senior medical officer explained that although the exact cause of GBS is still not known, its symptoms are usually manifested following a respiratory or gastrointestinal infection. There are many factors that may precipitate GBS, such as bacterial and viral infections, as well as recent vaccinations. He, however, appealed for calm, informing the public that although GBS is very rare, it is nonetheless treatable.
The Union Ministry of Health has sent a team to Pune to investigate the outbreak reported among residents in and around the Sinhgad area. Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar has pointed out an increase in cases of GBS in Pune and attributed some infections to water quality. The Health Department has ordered appropriate action to control the situation.
Moreover, the treatment for GBS has been added to the list of the state health insurance scheme, Mahatma Phule Jan Aarogya Yojana, and the limits have been increased from ₹80,000 to ₹1.6 lakh. Abitkar warned that actions would be taken against hospitals if they ask for unnecessary charges to treat GBS patients and claimed that patients need not pay additional charges under the scheme.
The Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced free treatment for GBS patients at Kamala Nehru Hospital in Pune, further lessening the financial burden on affected families.