Pune: 73 cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome reported in a week, 14 on ventilator

As many as three Pune hospitals reported a higher-than-usual occurrence of the Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBR), a rare treatable autoimmune disease on Monday. By Friday, the number of cases in the city had gone up to 73 cases, almost trebling in four days from 26 cases that caused alarm, reported TOI. However, No GBS-induced death has been reported. Although GBS is known to occur in communities, large hospitals typically admit 1-2 cases a month.

Out of the 73 cases, 14 people were on ventilator support as health authorities in Maharashtra began door-to-door surveys, looking for signs of infection and raising awarness about GBS. Officials said municipal and district health workers surveyed about 7,200 homes in two days.

What is Guillain-Barre Syndrome

The GBS is triggered by the pathogenic bacteria Campylobacter jejuni, experts told TOI. The affected person's immune system attacks the nerves. The recent detection of the pathogen in stool samples from multiple hospitals adds to evidence linking this bacteria to the outbreak.


Concerns spread after recent cases included an infant and a todlder. Health experts and doctors suspect the cluster formed on January 9, with the first patient to be admitted being an eight-year-old boy.

Also Read: GBS cases surge in Pune: Maharashtra reports first suspected death, over 100 infections confirmed


Union health ministry's Central Surveillance Unit (CSU) has taken cognisance of rising GBS cases in Pune. IT will send a team of doctors to assist local authorities.

Healthcare facilities, including Sassoon Hospital, are stocking up on injectables and medicines required to combat the outbreak. The hospital is treating 16 GBS patients.

Of the 73 GBS patients reported till Friday, 44 are in Pune rural, 11 in Pune Corporation area and 15 in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation belt. The highest number of patients are from Kirkitwadi (14), DSK Vishwa (8), Nanded city (7) and Khadakwasala (6). Three patients are under five years, 18 between six and 15 years, and seven above 60 years.

Dr Babita Kamalapurkar, joint director of epidemiology dept, briefed the CSU about the patient profiles. She said surveyors were telling people that the symptoms to look out for were numbness of limbs and prolonged diarrhea.