Guillain-Barre Syndrome Outbreak: Maharashtra Reports Second Death; Know How To Stay Safe

An outbreak of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in Pune has led to 18 out of 140 patients requiring ventilator support. While this situation is worrying, it is not the worst GBS outbreak in the world. However, it is one of the largest recent outbreaks, especially since medical guidelines used to classify an outbreak as 30 to 50 cases until 2019.

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The Largest Outbreak in Peru

The largest GBS outbreak happened in 2019 in Peru, where 1,120 cases were reported, including 683 in just two months. Peru’s annual GBS cases were only 59 in 2017 and rose to 262 in 2018 before the sharp increase in 2019. In 2023, Peru had another outbreak with 130 suspected cases between June 10 and July 15, indicating that GBS might be more prone to large-scale outbreaks than previously thought.

GBS an Epidemic-Causing Condition?

GBS is an autoimmune disorder that usually appears sporadically, so it hasn’t been seen as a condition that can cause widespread outbreaks. However, a professor of medicine at a Mumbai medical college explained that this view may need to change. With outbreaks happening in places like Pune and Peru, the professor suggested that GBS should be studied in more detail to understand if it could spread in larger numbers and how it affects communities.

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The Link to Campylobacter jejuni Infection

One possible connection between the outbreaks in Pune and Peru is the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni. Studies show that GBS cases following this infection are linked to higher disability and death rates. This connection highlights the need for further research into how infections like Campylobacter jejuni could be contributing to GBS outbreaks.

GBS in India

GBS is rare in India, with only 1.75 to 2 cases per lakh people reported annually. Because it is so uncommon, there has not been much research into its prevalence. However, a 2021 study analyzing data from 1990 to 2019 revealed some interesting trends. Countries like Japan, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, South Korea, the US, and Mexico have much higher-than-expected rates of GBS. On the other hand, countries such as China, Fiji, Taiwan, and Guam report lower-than-expected numbers.

The GBS outbreak in Pune serves as an important reminder of the unpredictable nature of the condition. While it is not the largest global outbreak, it raises questions about the potential for more widespread cases. The possible link to Campylobacter jejuni infections calls for more research to understand how these outbreaks happen and how to better manage them in the future.

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