GBS fear disrupts lives in Pune

Some citizens have cancelled water tankers, stopped sending their children to school

- Vicky Pathare and Dheeraj Bengrut

PUNE: The rising cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) across areas like Dhayari, Ambegaon, Narhe, and several other parts along Sinhagad Road in Pune have triggered widespread panic among residents as three more suspected cases were reported on Thursday, taking the total number of cases to 130.

This growing concern has led to a decline in school attendance, as parents are wary of potential risks, while housing societies in the areas have stopped purchasing water from private water tankers due to fearing a supply of contaminated water.

In most schools in the area, water is currently being supplied through tankers after the main source—a well—was found holding contaminated water when tests were conducted. "We have now asked students to bring boiled water from home," said Abhijit Deshpande, a primary school teacher who admitted that the attendance has taken a hit. "We had a case of GBS last week in our building. So, I decided not to send my two children to school four days ago. They will resume from Friday," said Asmita Bhande, a resident of Kirkatwadi.