A total of five suspected deaths due to Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) have been reported in Maharashtra so far, a state health department statement released on Saturday said.
The deaths have resulted from the 149 suspected cases of GBS reported in the state till now. Apart from these, 124 are confirmed cases of the disorder, the statement added.
Most cases were concentrated in Pune and surrounding areas, with contaminated water sources believed to be the likely cause. The bacteria campylobacter jejuni, found in contaminated food and water, was suspected to be behind the outbreak.
A total of 111 GBS infections have been found in Pune, while 17 cases have been reported from the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation area. Pune Rural has seen 13 cases while eight cases have been detected in other districts of Maharashtra, according to the Public Health Department.
As many as 28 of these patients are currently on ventilator support, it added.
Of the 149 suspected GBS cases in Maharashtra, 34 have been reported from the 20 to 29 age group, while the 50 to 59 age group has seen 25 cases. Additionally, age groups of 0 to 9 and 10 to 19 have seen 22 and 21 GBS cases respectively, as per the health department.
As has been the trend thus far, people between the age group of 70 to 90 have seen just three cases.
The spread of infection is not limited to Maharashtra as just two days ago, a 17-year-old boy died of a suspected case of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) in Kolkata.
The next day, on January 31, a woman from Telangana’s Siddipet was admitted to a private hospital in Hyderabad with symptoms indicative of GBS.
WHAT IS GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME?
Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a rare neurological condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves, leading to weakness, numbness or even paralysis.
GBS is not just rare, the exact causes of it remain unknown. According to the Mayo Clinic, around a majority of people with Guillain-Barre Syndrome have experienced symptoms of an infection at least six weeks before the GBS symptoms show.
These infections include any respiratory illness or a gastrointestinal infection.
The symptoms of GBS include weakness, which is experienced within the feet first, and then may move up the body to the legs, arms, face and breathing muscles.
TREATMENT FOR GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy or plasma exchange are two therapies designed to mitigate the immune system’s attack on the nervous system. However, the recovery process from the rare neurological disease can be long.
It is essential for those experiencing sudden onset of muscle weakness or tingling sensations to seek immediate medical assistance to avert potential complications.
Currently, there is no specific vaccine designed to prevent Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS).