New Delhi:

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is not new and has been found in the country before, said Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, Tuesday, even as the reported cases spike to 110 in Pune.

Speaking to IANS, Abitkar said that low immunity is a significant risk factor for the disease, which potentially causes a paralysing nerve disorder.

“GB syndrome is not new. The disease has previously affected people in Maharashtra and the entire country,” Abitkar told IANS.

In fact, the state launched the Mahatma Phule Jeevandayee Arogya Yojana in 2020 to counter such diseases, Abitkar said.

“GBS patients were given financial assistance up to Rs 2 lakh by the government,” he told IANS.

“People with low immunity are at significant risk of GBS; children under 15 years of age and elderly people over 65 years are at more risk,” said the Minister.

However, he noted that the reason for the increase in patients in Pune is different. He cited contaminated water causing infections as the major reason behind the spike in cases there.

“Of the 110 patients in Pune, 80 drank water from the same well. For this, we are continuously talking to the Pune Municipal Corporation.”

The Minister also reported one death due to the disease.

Allaying apprehension regarding the disease, he said “There is nothing to fear, and treatment is available for the condition.”

GBS occurs when antibodies, that fight bacterial or viral infections like Campylobacter jejuni or respiratory infections, cross-react with the peripheral nerves.

Manjari Tripathi, head of the neurology department, at AIIMS, told IANS that GBS is a sporadic disease. Sometimes it occurs in an endemic manner, but this time, it occurred in a cluster in Pune.

“In GB syndrome, there is a rapid ascending paralysis, starting from the lower limbs, going to the trunk, hands and respiratory muscles and bulbar muscles, which makes it difficult to swallow and breathe,” Tripathi said.

Notably, the symptoms are rather abrupt in onset and very rapid in progression, so it does not mimic other peripheral neuropathies, the neurologist said.

She explained that the disease is caused in the aftermath of a bacterial or viral infection.

“The infection usually occurs 10 days to two weeks before and then subsides, and that infection triggers the autoimmune response, which causes deterioration of the nerves, causing GB syndrome. It is essential that food and water hygiene be properly maintained,” the expert said.

Praveen Gupta, Principal Director and Chief of Neurology at a city-based Hospital said modern treatments are highly effective against the disease.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Mumbai:

Maharashtra has reported its first death due to Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) after a Pune-based Chartered Accountant succumbed to the disease.

The man was living in Pune’s DSK Vishwa area and was suffering from diarrhoea for a few days. He had gone to his native village in Solapur district for a private visit.

After feeling weak, he was admitted to a private hospital in Solapur where the doctors diagnosed him with GBS. He was shifted to the ICU for further treatment. The man was unable to move his hands and legs though he was under medical observation. Later, after a check-up doctors found his health stable and he was moved out of the ICU on Saturday. However, he suffered breathing problems and died on Saturday, said the relatives of the victim.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a rare immunological nerve disorder that causes sudden numbness and muscle weakness. In this condition, the body’s immune system attacks the nerves.

Incidentally, Pune has been in the news for several days for the outbreak of GBS as the number of patients infected has been reported at 73 of which 14 are on ventilators. Nine suspected patients of GBS were found on Saturday.

The Pune Municipal Corporation is on alert mode and has adopted a slew of measures to deal with the situation.

According to the Pune civic body sources, the symptoms of GBS include diarrhoea, stomach ache, fever and nausea or vomiting.

Sources said, “GBS infection can be contracted by consuming contaminated water or food. The infection can cause diarrhoea and abdominal pain. In some individuals, the immune system targets the nerves, leading to a diagnosis of GBS within 1 to 3 weeks. In addition, the immune system attacks the nerves due to infections with dengue, chikungunya viruses, or other bacteria.”

The state health department in an advisory has urged the citizens to drink boiled water and avoid eating in open areas or stale food. In the event of sudden weakness in the muscles of the arms and legs, the citizens have been asked to consult the family doctor or go to the nearest government hospital.

A senior medical officer from the state health department said even though the exact cause of Guillain-Barre Syndrome is still unknown, its symptoms usually become prominent after a respiratory or digestive tract infection. However, he pointed out that bacterial or viral infection, recent vaccination, surgery and neuropathy can trigger Guillain-Barre Syndrome. He, however, appealed to the people not to panic saying that even though GBS is a rare disease and can be treated.

Meanwhile, the Union health ministry has sent a team to Pune where a recent outbreak of GBS has affected 73 people in and around the city’s Sinhgad area.

Further, the Public Health Minister, Prakash Abitkar said the number of Guillain Barre Syndrome patients has increased in Pune. It has been observed that water causes infection. The Health Department has ordered to take appropriate measures. Currently, this disease has been included in the state health insurance scheme titled Mahatma Phule Jan Aarogya Yojana. Earlier, private hospitals under this scheme were given Rs 80,000 but now it has been doubled to Rs 1.60 lakh.

The Health Minister has also informed that action will be taken against hospitals if they are charging unnecessary bills for the treatment of this disease. He further said that it has been observed that GBS occurs when the immune system is weakened. Abitkar said that GBS treatment in hospitals under the state health insurance scheme will be completely free. Hospitals will not be able to charge additional money from patients for this, hence, there will be no financial burden on patients.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in Pune said the GBS patients will be treated free in Pune civic body’s Kamala Nehru hospital.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)