NEW DELHI: At least five people have died in the western Indian state of Maharashtra due to suspected cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), as the country faces an outbreak of the neurological disease that causes paralysis.
The number of reported cases has surged to approximately 163, with the majority concentrated in and around Pune, an emerging IT hub located 180 km from Mumbai. According to state government officials, 21 patients are on ventilator support, and 48 others are in intensive care.
GBS is a rare condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the nervous system, leading to symptoms that can include tingling, numbness, muscle weakness, and difficulty moving limbs.
In severe cases, it can result in paralysis and, in some instances, death. Health authorities have confirmed that a pathogen known as Campylobacter jejuni is likely behind the surge of cases in Pune, which has previously been identified as a leading cause of GBS worldwide.
“Campylobacter jejuni is a foodborne pathogen commonly associated with poultry, but it can also be transmitted through contaminated water,” said Prakash Abitkar, Maharashtra’s state health minister.
Investigations into the outbreak have traced its origins to contaminated water sources, particularly private borewells in areas with a high number of GBS cases.
In some affected parts of Pune, drainage water is reported to mix with potable water, causing contamination and contributing to the rise in GBS cases.
“Autoimmune diseases like GBS are not communicable, but the pathogens that trigger them can be spread,” said Avinash Bhondwe, former president of the Indian Medical Association in Maharashtra.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has been working with local authorities in Pune to trace, test, and monitor suspected GBS cases. While there is no cure for GBS, treatments such as plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) can help speed up recovery and reduce symptoms.
Symptoms of the disease
The outbreak in Maharashtra is not isolated, as similar clusters of GBS linked to Campylobacter jejuni have been reported globally.
A 17-year-old girl in Assam died of suspected GBS last week, although the state government has not released updated data on cases.
Campylobacter jejuni has previously been identified as a major trigger for GBS outbreaks, including a notable wave in rural China in the 1990s, where contaminated water from chickens and ducks played a key role.
ALSO READ: FDA Approves New Type of Pain Relief Medication
The symptoms of GBS often begin with tingling or numbness in the hands and feet, followed by muscle weakness and joint movement difficulty. The condition can worsen, affecting the respiratory system and causing paralysis in the arms and legs.
According to the WHO, approximately 90 percent of GBS cases occur in people under the age of 60, with a higher concentration of cases reported in those aged 20-29.
While most people recover from GBS, some continue to experience lingering weakness. According to research conducted by Monojit Debnath and Madhu Nagappa at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bangalore, prior infections were identified in 79 per cent of GBS patients.
Among these, one-third tested positive for Campylobacter jejuni. However, the disease remains challenging to diagnose, as there is no single definitive test. Diagnosis relies largely on clinical features, which can be easily mistaken for other diseases, such as polio or other viral infections.
Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosing GBS can be particularly difficult in rural areas, where healthcare professionals may not be familiar with the condition or lack access to the necessary diagnostic tools.
Although rare, the potential for a link between GBS and vaccines has also raised concerns in some regions. In 2021, reports emerged of GBS cases following a COVID-19 vaccination campaign in the UK, though these were isolated incidents.
