PUNE: The Maharashtra health department reported Sunday what is suspected to be the first death linked to the Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) outbreak concentrated in Pune as the caseload spiked to 101 with 28 more confirmed infections, based on updated surveillance data, reports Steffy Thevar. The daily bulletin said the suspected GBS death occurred in Solapur but did not give details.
Sixteen of the patients diagnosed with this rare but treatable condition are currently on ventilator support. Around 19 of those with symptoms are below nine, while the 50-80 age group accounts for 23 cases.
A patient hospitalised on Jan 9 is suspected to be the first GBS case within the Pune cluster. Tests have revealed the Campylobacter jejuni bacteria in some biological samples drawn from hospitalised patients. C Jejuni causes about a third of all GBS cases worldwide and is also responsible for the most severe infections.
Authorities are sampling Pune’s water, especially in areas that are reporting cases. Test results released Saturday showed that a well near Khadakwasla Dam, Pune’s main water reservoir, had high levels of the bacterium E. coli. But officials said it was unclear if the well was being used at all. Residents have been advised to boil water and heat their food before consumption.
Health department officials said 25,578 homes had been surveyed till Sunday as part of a surveillance exercise meant to find more patients within the community and pinpoint the trigger for the surge in GBS cases, which otherwise don’t exceed more than two a month.
GBS treatment very expensive, each injection costs Rs 20,000
GBS occurs when the body’s immune system, while reacting to a bacterial or viral infection, mistakenly attacks the nerves that carry brain signals to parts of the body, leading to weakness, paralysis or other symptoms. Doctors said 80% of affected patients regain their ability to walk without assistance within six months of hospital discharge, but some may take up to a year or more to regain full use of their limbs. GBS treatment is also very expensive.
Patients will typically need a course of immunoglobulin (IVIG) injections. A family TOI spoke to earlier said their 68-year-old relative, who was admitted on Jan 16, needed an IVIG course of 13 injections, with each shot costing about Rs 20,000.
Three major hospitals in the city sent out alerts to local health authorities earlier this week after they found a higher-than-usual number of GBS patients —26 on Jan 10 — among newly admitted patients. By Friday, the number soared to 73.
Ajit Pawar announces free treatment for GBS
Speaking about rising cases in Pune, Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar announced, “The treatment is expensive. After discussions with officials from the district administration and municipal corporation, we have decided to provide free treatment. Those from Pimpri-Chinchwad will be treated at YCM Hospital, while patients from Pune Municipal Corporation areas will receive treatment at Kamla Nehru Hospital. For citizens from rural areas, free treatment will be provided at Sassoon Hospital in Pune.”
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