Health Ministry sends team to Pune amid surge in Guillain-Barré Syndrome cases

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has rushed a high-level multi-disciplinary team to Pune, Maharashtra in view of the spurt in suspected and confirmed cases of Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS)- a rare neurological disorder triggered by viral and bacterial infection-in Pune.

The team will support the State health authorities in instituting public health interventions and management, the health ministry said.

According to the health ministry the Central team to Maharashtra comprises of seven experts drawn from National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) Delhi, NIMHANS Bengaluru, Regional Office of Health & Family Welfare and National Institute for Virology (NIV), Pune.


“Three experts from NIV, Pune were already supporting the local authorities; the central team has now been expanded, it said in a statement.

The health ministry said that the team of experts will work closely with the State Health Departments and take a stock of on-ground situation and recommend necessary public health interventions.

“The Union Health Ministry is taking proactive steps by monitoring the situation and coordinating with the State,” it further said.

The symptoms include diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, nausea or vomiting.

So far the number of GBS has crossed the 100 mark in Pune. One suspected GBS death was also reported from Solapur. Initial unconfirmed reports hinted at the possibility of the victim having contracted the infection in Pune and later travelled to Solapur.

The cases came to light as hospitals started to begin reporting GBS patients from Sinhagad Road, Khadakwasla, Dhayari, Kirkat-wadi, and surrounding areas.