Maharashtra Government's Urgent Advice Amid GBS Concerns
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Synopsis
In response to a GBS-related death, the Maharashtra government urges citizens to stay calm and seek medical attention if symptoms arise. With 110 suspected cases reported, preventive measures are emphasized to ensure public safety.
Key Takeaways
- Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a serious autoimmune disorder.
- 110 suspected GBS cases reported in Maharashtra.
- Public health department advises prompt medical attention.
- Preventive measures are crucial for public safety.
- House-to-house surveillance underway in Pune.
Mumbai, Jan 28 (NationPress) Following the announcement of the first fatality linked to Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), the Maharashtra government has urged residents to remain calm and seek medical attention at a government facility if they experience any symptoms.
The government has also stressed the importance of taking preventive measures in its advisory.
As per the latest update from the state public health department, there are currently 110 suspected cases of GBS, with one reported death.
Among these, eight have been confirmed as GBS cases.
Of the 110 suspected patients, approximately 88 hail from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), 15 from the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), and seven from other regions.
In terms of gender distribution, 73 are men and 37 are women, with 13 individuals currently on ventilators.
On Monday (January 27), nine new patients were reported as suspected cases of GBS, with seven from PMC, one from PCMC, and one from another district.
Tragically, a Chartered Accountant residing in the DSK Vishwa area of Dhayari passed away. He had been suffering from diarrhea for several days and had traveled to his native village from Solapur for a private visit. After experiencing severe weakness, he was admitted to a private hospital in Solapur, where he was diagnosed with GBS.
He was subsequently moved to the ICU for advanced treatment due to his inability to move his limbs.
After showing signs of improvement, he was discharged from the ICU on Saturday but later experienced respiratory issues and unfortunately passed away, as confirmed by his family members.
The public health department describes GBS as an autoimmune disorder that leads to the body’s immune system attacking the peripheral nervous system. This condition is marked by muscle weakness and can result in paralysis in severe instances.
Common symptoms of GBS include sudden weakness in the arms or legs, difficulty walking, and abrupt onset of prolonged diarrhea.
The public health department has implemented various measures, including an immediate visit by a state-level rapid response team to the affected areas and directives to the Pune Municipal Commissioner and rural district officials to enhance surveillance.
In total, 44 stool samples have been sent to the NIV Pune for testing related to enteric viruses. Among these, 14 tested positive for the Noro virus, and five samples were positive for Campylobacter.
A total of 59 blood samples have also been submitted to NIV, all of which tested negative for Zika, Dengue, and Chikungunya.
Additionally, 34 water samples from various city locations have been analyzed for chemical and biological safety, with contamination found in samples from seven water sources.
Health promotion activities are being ramped up, and private medical practitioners have been requested to report any GBS cases to the relevant public health authorities.
“There is no need for citizens to panic. The state’s health department is ready to undertake preventive and control measures. In our house-to-house surveillance efforts, we have surveyed 23,017 residences in PMC, 4,441 in PCMC, and 7,610 in rural Pune, totaling 35,068 homes,” stated an official from the public health department.
Residents are advised to ensure good water quality, drink boiled water, keep food fresh and clean, and avoid cross-contamination between cooked and raw food.
