 in Pune, Maharashtra, has triggered widespread concern across the region.){kind=link}
The recent outbreak of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare neurological disorder, in Pune, Maharashtra, has triggered widespread concern across the region and the country. GBS, although recognized in scientific literature for centuries, was formally coined as a term in 1916. While small outbreaks have been documented in various parts of the world, the scale of the current outbreak in Pune is highly unusual and alarming.
The Magnitude of the Pune Outbreak
The first case of GBS in Pune was reported on January 9, 2025. As of January 28, the number of reported cases has surged to 111, with one confirmed death. This number is exceptionally high, given that prior outbreaks rarely crossed a three-digit count. Historically, significant outbreaks have been recorded in French Polynesia (2013-2014), Latin America and the Caribbean (2015-2016) due to Zika virus infections, and in Peru, where 683 cases were reported in just over two months.
Currently, 18 out of 140 identified patients in Pune are reported to be on ventilator support. While this is not the worst outbreak globally, it is one of the largest ever recorded. Until 2019, medical literature classified 30 to 50 cases as an outbreak, making the Pune situation a serious public health concern.
Understanding Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
GBS is a neurological disorder that disrupts the peripheral nervous system. It typically presents with symptoms such as tingling, numbness, muscle weakness, and pain. In severe cases, patients may experience difficulty speaking, swallowing, breathing, and controlling heart rate and blood pressure.
The disorder occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath—a protective covering of nerves. The damage slows or blocks nerve signal transmission, leading to progressive muscle weakness and, in some cases, paralysis.
The initial symptoms of GBS often begin in the legs and can spread to the arms and face. In about one-third of cases, the chest muscles are affected, leading to breathing difficulties that necessitate intensive care. Some cases also result in paralysis, which can be life-threatening.
Causes and Risk Factors
The precise cause of GBS remains unclear, but most cases follow a bacterial or viral infection. The most common trigger is infection with Campylobacter jejuni, a bacterium responsible for gastroenteritis. Other viruses linked to GBS include cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and Zika virus.
However, not all individuals infected with Campylobacter jejuni or other pathogens develop GBS, indicating that additional factors play a role in triggering the condition. For example, during the Peru outbreak, only 5.2% of GBS cases were linked to Campylobacter jejuni infection, suggesting that other immune system responses may be involved.
Scientists believe that autoimmune mechanisms play a crucial role in GBS. In some cases, pathogens may mimic the body’s natural structures, tricking the immune system into attacking its own nerve cells.
Implications of the Pune Outbreak
The severity and scale of the GBS outbreak in Pune highlight the need for urgent medical intervention and research. The public must be made aware of early symptoms to ensure prompt medical attention. Health authorities are closely monitoring the situation to determine potential causes and prevent further spread.
Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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