Cases Rise Amid 1st GBS Death; Centre Forms Team

Union ministry of health has formed a seven-member team to help the state in managing the cases

- Vicky Pathare and Rhythma Kaul

PUNE/NEW DELHI: The number of cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome in Pune have risen to over a hundred, and on Sunday, Maharashtra reported the first death from the rare neurological disorder. A 40-year-old man died in Solapur, state health department said on Monday. The deceased, a native of Solapur, worked in Sinhagad area of Pune and had gone back to Solapur after reporting severe gastrointestinal distress.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (pronounced Gee-luhn-Baa Syndrome) or GBS is a rare autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the peripheral nerves. It leads to symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness that can, in many cases, also lead to muscular paralysis. But it can be preceded by gastrointestinal infection as in the case of the deceased man.

According to Dr Sanjeev Thakur, dean of Solapur Government Medical College, the patient was on and off ventilator support since January 18, and the clinical post mortem, prima facie, suggests GBS. "We have sent samples of the patients, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to the National Institute of Virology, to understand the cause of death," he added.

Of the 101 patients accounted for so far by the Pune health department, 56 patients are in general ward, while 41 patients are admitted to the ICU. Of these 41 ICU patients, 25 are on oxygen support and 16 patients are on ventilator support. Four patients have been discharged.