First Death Confirmed Of Guillain-Barré Syndrome Outbreak In Pune

Pune: A 41-year-old chartered accountant (CA) has been confirmed as the first fatality in the ongoing Guillain-Barré Syndrome outbreak in Pune, Maharashtra. The victim, who had been receiving treatment at a hospital in Solapur, passed away late Saturday after a prolonged battle with the rare neurological disorder. 

The Victim’s Illness and Treatment

The victim’s health issues began on January 9, when he experienced a bout of diarrhea and took over-the-counter medication. By January 14, after initially feeling better, he traveled to Solapur with his family. However, on January 17, he began to feel weak again and was hospitalized the following day.

After being admitted, the victim showed signs of improvement in the ICU. However, his condition worsened, leading to total paralysis and severe weakness in his limbs. Despite receiving a five-day course of immunoglobulin injections as part of his treatment, his condition deteriorated further. He died six days later. Doctors confirmed the diagnosis of Guillain-Barré Syndrome through nerve-conduction tests and administered the appropriate treatment.

Dr. Sanjeev Thakur, Dean of Vaishampayan Medical College in Solapur, stated that tests on the patient’s cerebrospinal fluid, nerve tissue, and other organs are still ongoing to identify the infections that might have triggered the condition. 

Rising Cases

Since the outbreak began on January 9, Pune has reported 111 confirmed cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome. By Sunday, 101 cases had already been confirmed. Among the patients, at least 17 are on ventilator support, while seven individuals have been discharged after receiving treatment.

State Health Minister Prakash Abitkar confirmed the death of the chartered accountant, adding that the case had been confirmed as GBS. This death follows the earlier passing of another patient in Solapur on January 25, who was also suspected to have contracted GBS.

Government Response

The central government has dispatched a high-level, multi-disciplinary team to Pune to assess the situation and assist in the implementation of public health measures. The team, which includes experts from Delhi and Bengaluru, will work with local authorities to help control the spread of the disease and address any concerns related to the outbreak.

Possible Causes

Health experts in Pune have identified two potential causes behind the GBS outbreak: the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni and norovirus. Both have been detected in samples collected from the affected cluster. Dr. Rakhi Mane, the head of the Solapur Municipal Corporation’s health department, confirmed that the deceased patient had received immunoglobulin injections, a standard treatment for GBS patients.

The investigation into the cause of the outbreak continues as authorities work to determine the exact factors contributing to the spread of Guillain-Barré Syndrome in Pune. Public health officials are closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary steps to prevent further cases and protect the public.

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