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28 people on ventilator in Maharashtra as Guillain-Barre Syndrome cases increase to 149, death toll at 5
Maharashtra reports 149 suspected Guillain-Barré cases, with 124 confirmed. Five fatalities have occurred, including a 36-year-old man and a 60-year-old man. Currently, 28 patients require ventilator support, primarily from Pune and surrounding areas, as stated by the Maharashtra Health Department.
Guillain-Barré cases Update: As of February 1, 2025, Maharashtra is grappling with a concerning outbreak of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), with 149 suspected cases reported and five suspected deaths.
The state's Health Department confirmed that out of these, 124 patients have been diagnosed with GBS, a rare autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the peripheral nerves, leading to muscle weakness and potentially paralysis.
Alarmingly, 28 individuals in Maharashtra are currently on ventilator support as the condition can severely affect respiratory muscles.
“Out of these, 124 patients have been confirmed to have GBS. Among the affected individuals, 28 are currently on ventilator support”, Maharashtra Health Department said on Saturday.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is actively investigating the outbreak, although no definitive cause has been established thus far. Initial tests have revealed the presence of the bacterium Campylobacter jejuni in some stool samples from affected patients, which is known to be associated with GBS. Experts suggest that contaminated water sources may be contributing to this surge in Guillain-Barré cases, particularly in Pune, where a cluster of infections has been noted.
Most of the cases recorded in the state are from Pune and surrounding areas.
E.coli found in water sample from Pune
A total of 160 water samples from different parts of Pune city were sent to the Public Health Laboratory for chemical and biological analysis, and samples from eight water sources were found contaminated.
An official said Escherichia coli or E.coli bacteria was found in one of the samples obtained from private borewells in the Sinhgad Road area.
He said E.coli in water is a sign of faecal or animal waste contamination, and the prevalence of bacteria can lead to GBS infection.
Following the increase in GBS cases in Nanded, Kirkatwadi, Dhayari, and other localities on Sinhgad Road, the Pune Municipal Corporation has been collecting water samples from borewells and wells for investigations.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome Symptoms
Following are the symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome you should look out for:
Muscle weakness: Weakness or paralysis in the arms and legs, which can affect both sides of the body
Numbness: Tingling, numbness, or pins and needles in the hands and feet
Pain: Sharp, shooting pain in the legs or back, or muscle aches, pains, or cramps
Breathing problems: Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or paralysis of breathing muscles
Vision problems: Blurred vision or double vision
Dizziness: Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
Coordination problems: Jerky, uncoordinated movements, or problems walking
Heart and blood pressure problems: Abnormal heart rate or blood pressure, or low or high blood pressure
Digestion and bladder problems: Sluggish bowel function, difficulty with bladder control, or urine retention
Complications may also include Blood clots, Blood infection, and Cardiac arrest
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Business NewsScienceHealth28 people on ventilator in Maharashtra as Guillain-Barre Syndrome cases increase to 149, death toll at 5
First Published:1 Feb 2025, 07:51 PM IST
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