Guillain-Barre Syndrome Update: Bacterial Link Suspected Amidst Surging Hospitalisation In Pune

According to news reports, three samples from patients suffering from Guillain-Barre Syndrome have also tested positive for bacterial infection on Tuesday.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Pune has reported 26 cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) this week along with at least 60 hospitalisation prompting concern among health officials. Investigations to reveal the exact cause or causes of trigger are being conducted by health officials. The 60 patients who have been hospitalised are currently in three major hospitals near Sinhagad Road, Dhayari, and Kirkatwadi.

Three of the samples from patients were submitted to the Poona hospital. According to news reports, these three samples have tested positive for bacterial infection on Tuesday. Majority of the cases pertaining to GBS have been reported in the Nanded, Nandoshi, Kirkitwadi, Dhayari, and Khadakwasla areas. The three patients who tested positive for bacterial infection also hail from the same locality were GBS has been recorded.

These villages, with a population of more than two lakh, get their water directly from the gram panchayat wells and the Khadakwasla dam, without passing through the Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) water treatment facilities.

According to that satement made by PMC's water supply head, Nandkishore Jagtap to the media, "Water from these sources is chlorinated before supply, but campylobacter jejuni has shown chlorine resistance."

He also said, "The civic body also plans to increase chlorine concentration in water across the city, including its 11 water treatment plants and the affected areas. "We will raise the chlorine concentration from 5 ppm to 7 ppm to address the issue."

According to Prithviraj BP, the additional municipal commissioner, PMC, the primary cause behind all the GBS cases is suspected to be contaminated food or water. He said, "Most cases are concentrated in Nanded Gaon, Kirkitwadi, and nearby areas along Sinhagad Road. Water samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), and results are expected in a few days. In the meantime, teams have been dispatched to visit affected households, clinics, and hospitals."