Pune has reported 127 suspected cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), with two suspected fatalities. Among these, 72 cases have been confirmed. The affected regions include Pune Municipal Corporation (23 cases), newly added villages in the PMC area (73), Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (13), Pune Rural (9), and other districts (9). Currently, ~20 patients are on ventilator support.
In addition, Kolkata has reported two GBS-related deaths. Teams of doctors and experts are on the spot to monitor the situation. Health authorities are on site to investigate the reason, with contaminated water being a suspected source.
Samples of stool and blood from infected people are being tested at the National Institute of Virology Pune laboratory, but no definite leads have been established on the cause of the spread.
Also read: Guillain-Barré Syndrome claims 1 life in Pune; Centre sends team
Campylobacter jejunum bacteria was found in 4 stool samples that were collected from 21 GBS patients in Pune. Norovirus was found in some cases who had diarrhoea. However, according to the medical literature, norovirus doesn’t lead to GBS.
Water samples from different parts of the city have been sent to the Public Health Laboratory for chemical and biological analysis.
Mechanism of GBS
GBS occurs when antimicrobial antibodies, created to fight bacterial or viral infections like Campylobacter jejuni or respiratory infections, cross-react with the myelin sheath protein of peripheral nerves.
