In the past few weeks, Maharashtra has been in high alert functionality that it is has been a worrying spike in cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a very rare neurological disorder. Till date, February 18, 2025,The government has seen a total of 21 deaths due to GBS, two of them in the last 24 hours. This piece tries to present a complete overview of GBS, its causes, symptoms, treatment, and the situation in Maharashtra.
What is Guillain-Barré Syndrome? Guillain-Barré Syndrome is an unexpected situation in which the immune system of the body mistakenly targets the peripheral nerves. These nerves link the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body and are accountable for carrying movement and signs of awareness. When the nerves Have been hurt, it may cause muscle weakness, numbness, and even paralysis in extreme cases.
Symptoms of GBS The development of GBS usually starts with: Numbness or pins-and-needles feelings in toes, fingers, wrists, or ankles. Leg weakness that progresses to the upper extremities. Swaying gait or trouble with stairs. Trouble with movements in the face, like talking, chewing, or swallowing. Severe pain, often achy or crampy, that tends to become worse at night. Difficulty with bladder or bowel control. Increased Rhythm of the cardiac in addition to being fragile blood pressure.
Trouble breathining more complex situations. These symptoms may worsen over the course of hours, days, or weeks, and early identification is necessary to managein credibly good. Causes and Triggers The underlying cause of GBS is unknown. Yet, it frequently follows an infection, indicating that during the course of fighting the infection, the immune system accidentally strikes the peripheral nerves. Common triggers are:
Bacterial infections like Campylobacter jejuni, which commonly occur in under cooked poultry. Viral infections like influenza, cytomegalo virus, Epstein-Barr virus, and Zika virus. Recent operations or vaccinations, although these are less frequent causes. It should be mentioned that although these conditions are linked to GBS, the syndrome is still rare.
Treatment Options There is no cure for GBS, but treatments can decrease the severity and length of the symptoms. The main treatments are:
Plasma Exchange (Plasma pheresis): In this process, the liquid part of the blood (plasma) is removed and kept apart from the blood cells. The blood cells are restored to the body, which creates fresh plasma. This helps remove the antibodies that are destroying the nerves.
Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg): Large amounts of immunoglobulin, with healthy antibodies of donors, are given intravenously to prevent the damaging antibodies from attacking the nerves.
Supportive care Additionally, it is necessary. and can include: Vital function monitoring, including both breathing and inhalation. Pain control. Physical therapy to preserve muscle sturdiness Exceptional adaptability the design process rehabilitation process. Recovery time is variable; although most begin to recover in a few weeks, complete recovery may take months to years. Some will have residual effects like vulnerability or numbness.
The Situation in Maharashtra The recent outbreak of GBS cases in Maharashtra has put health officials and the public on high alert. Here is a summary of the situation:
Case Number: Up to February 18, 2025, Maharashtra has seen 192 suspected cases of GBS, of which 172 have been confirmed and 21 have led to deaths. Most of the cases have been reported in Pune and its suburbs.
Recent Deaths: In the past 24 hours, two more death shave taken place. One was that of a 53-year-old man from Mumbai, who was taken to Nair Hospital and died while undergoing treatment. It is Mumbai’s first reported death due to GBS. The second death was a 36-year-old man from Pimple Gurav in Pune, who was taken to Yashwantrao Chavan Hospital and died on January 30, 2025.
Geographical Distribution: Cases are distributed as below:
Pune Municipal Corporation District (PMC): 40 cases Newly added villages in Extent of PMC: 92 cases Pimpri Chinchwad: 29 cases Pune Rural: 28 cases Other districts: 8 cases Patient Status: Out of the confirmed cases, 104 patients have been released following treatment. At present, 50 patients are admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs), 20 of whom need ventilator support.
Investigations and Public Health Measures Health officials are working actively to determine the cause of the outbreak. Some suggest a connection with contaminated water supplies:
Contamination of Water: 30 private industries providing groundwater in the identified epicenters of the outbreak like Nancy, Dhayari, and areas around Sinhgad Road have been sealed by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Water samples drawn from these factories proved to be undrinkable, with some even possessing atypical ratios of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. Also, some plants did not have appropriate operational clearance and did not using the necessary cleaners and chlorine to prevent infections.
Preventive Measures: Government officials are made recommendations to avoid further transmission:
Safe drinking water: Boil water for a minimum of 20 minutes before drinking. Food hygiene: Eat well-cooked and fresh food; do not eat street food from unhygienic places. Personal hygiene: Wash hands with soap thoroughly before eating and after using the toilet. Public Awareness: People The most knowledgeable person attentive and report to medical suggests of to GBS arise. Early detection and treatment can ensure improved results.