GBS outbreak: WHO team in Pune to train health workers as city sees slowdown in cases

GBS outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) is now working closely with the Pune district administration to train health workers to search for “active cases” of GBS so that every suspected case is identified, diagnosed, and treated.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases in Pune rose to 163 on February  3 after the health department recorded five new cases. Among these, eight patients are from neighbouring districts. However, no new deaths were reported.

Dr. Ruderico H. Ofrin, WHO representative to India, in an official statement, said: “The WHO is providing technical and on-ground field support to the district and state-level teams to empower responders with adequate resources, training, and support systems.”

According to a Times of India report, with more patients being discharged, city doctors believe that the worst phase of the outbreak may be over.

Dr. Sameer Jog, consultant intensivist at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, which first reported a spike in GBS admissions on January 20, said 16 out of 36 patients have been discharged.

"Between Jan 15 and 19, we were getting three to four new cases daily. This dropped to one case a day between Jan 26 and 29. In the last three days, we've had no new admissions," he said. Patients were released after showing significant improvement and better muscle strength.

Across hospitals, the total number of discharged patients increased to 47 on Monday, up from 38 the previous day. However, 21 patients remain on ventilator support.

Dr. Sudhir Kothari, a neurologist at Poona Hospital, confirmed that GBS cases have slowed. "Earlier, we had at least one case per day. Then, the frequency dropped to one every two to four days. In the last week, we haven’t had any new admissions," he said.

Dr. Ameet Dravid, an infectious disease expert at Poona and Noble hospitals, noted a similar trend. "During the first week of the spike, from Jan 15 to 22, there were eight cases. From Jan 22 to 29, only two new cases were recorded. We’ve had none in recent days," he said.

A Navale Hospital official also confirmed a possible slowdown in GBS cases. "We currently have 12 GBS patients admitted, with four on ventilator support. Most of these patients are from Kirkatwadi and Nanded Gaon. Four patients were discharged, and we have had no new cases in the last three days," the official stated.

Authorities are still trying to determine what led to the GBS outbreak, as the condition is generally rare. The surge appears to be concentrated in newly merged Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) areas, where officials are testing water sources for contamination.

Investigators are also focusing on private vendors using RO plants to fill 20-liter water cans. Some samples collected from cans sold in GBS-affected areas tested positive for high bacterial contamination, officials said.

What is Guillain-Barré Syndrome?

Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a condition in which the body's immune system attacks the nerves. The different forms of GBS are commonly known as Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP), Miller Fisher Syndrome (MFS), Acute Motor Axonal Neuropathy (AMAN), and Acute Motor-Sensory Axonal Neuropathy (AMSAN). According to reports, GBS can cause numbness, weakness, or paralysis. The first symptoms include weakness and tingling in the hands and feet.

What is the line of treatment?

Treatments such as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and plasma exchange have revolutionized outcomes, but timely intervention remains critical. According to doctors, 80% of affected patients regain the ability to walk unaided within six months of hospital discharge, though some may take a year or longer to fully recover limb function.