Maharashtra on High Alert: Two New Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) Deaths Reported in 24 Hours, India’s Total Rises to 21
Maharashtra on High Alert: Two New Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) Deaths Reported in 24 Hours, India’s Total Rises to 21
Guillain-Barr Syndrome (GBS) is a rare neurological disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves. This can lead to muscle weakness, paralysis, and, in severe cases, respiratory failure.
Written By:
Satata Karmakar
| Updated : February 19, 2025 11:02 AM IST
Maharashtra On High Alert Over GBS Outbreak: State Logs 2 New Cases of Guillain Barre Syndrome, India's Toll Reaches 21
Maharashtra GBS Outbreak: In the last 24 hours, Maharashtra has reported two new deaths due to Guillain-Barr Syndrome (GBS), raising serious concerns among health officials and medical experts. With the two new fatalities, the total count of GBS-related deaths in India now stands at 21. This sudden spike in GBS cases in the state has put the officials on high alert, with authorities closely monitoring the situation to prevent further escalation.
Maharashtra has been the worst-hit state in India by Guillain-Barr Syndrome (GBS), recording a total of 17 deaths in the current outbreak, according to official reports. In Pune, last week, a 34-year-old man from Wagholi died after developing this life-threatening brain disorder. As per reports, the patient was experiencing tingling in his limbs, which quickly progressed to weakness (whole body). "The man's loss of power in all the limbs progressed rapidly over the next three days, and soon he lost strength in his neck, respiratory, and facial muscles. He had trouble swallowing too," an official was quoted as saying.
What Is Guillain Barre Syndrome?
Guillain-Barre Syndrome, also known as GBS, is a rare and life-threatening neurological disorder wherein the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves. The condition first begins with a sudden weakness or tingling in the legs --- rapidly progressing to complete paralysis. While the exact cause of GBS is still being studied, experts believe that infections, such as viral or bacterial infections mostly trigger the condition.
How to know if you are also suffering from this condition? Here are the top 5 signs you must look out for:
Weakness or tingling (legs)
Difficulty in walking properly or balancing the body
Numbness or pins sensations
Muscle weakness or a sense of body paralysis
Breathing difficulties
Apart from Maharashtra, deaths have also been reported in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, with each state confirming one fatality. Amid the growing outbreak, Union junior minister for AYUSH, Prataprao Jadhav, suggested the possibility of imposing travel restrictions in affected areas. "If the disease is spreading from one region to another, imposing travel restrictions may become necessary," Jadhav said while speaking to reporters in Buldhana on Monday.
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