First suspected GBS patient succumbs in Pimpri-Chinchwad

A curve on the tracks was likely one of the main factors behind the freak Jalgaon train incident, as it obstructed the line of sight of one of the drivers and limited the time he had to apply emergency brakes, officials aware of the matter said on Thursday as authorities began investigating the trigger for the incident.

- Vicky Pathare [e-mail]

PUNE: Amid the surge in suspected Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) cases reported in Pune district, a 64-year-old female patient undergoing treatment at Post Graduate Institute-Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital (YCMH), Pimpri, succumbed to her ailment, said officials on Thursday. This, according to health department officials, is the first casualty after the infection spread earlier this week.

The woman from Pimpri, a confirmed case of acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) variant of GBS that affects motor nerve fibres, reportedly died at 9.45 pm on Tuesday. The deceased was a known case of hypertension, said officials.

Shekhar Singh, Pimpri Chinchwad municipal commissioner, said, "There has been death of an elderly patient at PGI-YCMH. However, the case will be investigated before confirming as a GBS infection."

Dr Pravin Soni, head, medicine department, PGI-YCMH, said, "The patient was admitted at Ruby Hall Clinic on November 17 last year after she complained of fever and loss of strength in legs. Her condition worsened with four limbs going weak, and on the third day of admission, she developed respiratory muscle paralysis. She was diagnosed with AMAN variant of GBS on November 19 and put on its treatment. Later, intubation facility was provided following complaints of difficulty in breathing. Given the financial constraints, the family shifted the patient from Ruby Hall Clinic to DY Patil Hospital on November 24."