Pune: In a grim turn of events, a woman in Pune has succumbed to Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), marking the second death in Maharashtra due to this rare neurological disorder. This tragedy comes as the city grapples with an alarming surge in GBS cases, with 127 people affected, the highest number in the state.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has swiftly responded to the crisis by reserving 40 hospital beds, including 10 equipped with ventilators, at the Kamala Nehru Hospital to treat GBS patients. This move is crucial given that the first death from GBS was reported earlier this month in Solapur, with the deceased believed to have contracted the infection in Pune.
The suspected GBS case that led to the recent death was hospitalized on January 9, highlighting the rapid progression of the disease. The outbreak in Pune has been particularly severe, with cases escalating rapidly since the cluster formed on January 9. As of now, 17 patients are on ventilator support, while seven have been discharged after recovery.
GBS is a mysterious condition whose exact causes are still unknown, but it is often triggered by respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, or even the Zika virus. Symptoms include numbness, weakness, or paralysis, which can rapidly spread from the limbs to other parts of the body. Other signs include difficulty walking, impaired facial movements, and severe breathing difficulties.
Authorities are scrambling to identify the source of the infection, with water contamination emerging as a primary concern. Tests have revealed high levels of E. coli bacteria in a well near Khadakwasla Dam, Pune’s main water source, although it is unclear if this well was in use. To mitigate the risk, the PMC is supplying clean water through tankers to affected areas and has urged citizens to avoid consuming untreated or unboiled water.
In addition to local efforts, the central government has dispatched a high-level multi-disciplinary team comprising experts from Delhi and Bengaluru to review the situation and implement public health measures. This team will work closely with state health officials to form a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to control the rise in GBS cases.
As the situation continues to unfold, health experts are emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Patients who receive treatment within five to seven days of symptom onset generally have better long-term outcomes. The community is being advised to remain vigilant, practice basic hygiene, and seek medical help immediately if they experience muscle weakness, especially after a recent infection.
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