Pune CA, 41, Becomes First Victim of Guillain-Barre Syndrome Outbreak as Cases Surge to 111 in 3 Weeks

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PUNE: A 41-year-old chartered accountant (CA) from Pune has been confirmed as the first casualty of the Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) outbreak gripping the city. This confirmation comes a day after the Maharashtra health department reported that a patient who died at a Solapur hospital on January 25 was “suspected” to have contracted the rare but treatable neurological condition.

“It’s a confirmed case of GBS,” Maharashtra health minister Prakash Abitkar stated during a press briefing.

Since the outbreak was identified on January 9, Pune’s GBS cases have surged to 111, a sharp increase from 101 recorded just a day earlier. Of the affected, 17 patients are currently on ventilator support, and seven have been discharged.

In response to the escalating situation, the central government has sent a high-level team of experts from Delhi and Bengaluru to assist Maharashtra in managing the outbreak and implementing public health measures.

Timeline of the Deceased CA’s Illness

The deceased began experiencing diarrhoea on January 9 and took over-the-counter medication, according to family members. Feeling better, he traveled with his family to Solapur on January 14. However, his condition worsened on January 17, leading to his hospital admission the next day.

After six days in the ICU, the patient showed signs of improvement and was shifted to the general ward. Tragically, his condition deteriorated again, leading to paralysis and his eventual death late Saturday, relatives confirmed.

Medical Investigation and Response

Doctors at the Solapur hospital confirmed severe weakness and paralysis upon admission, conducting nerve-conduction tests that diagnosed GBS. “We initiated treatment as per protocol, and the patient initially responded well before his condition worsened,” a doctor noted.

The victim’s cerebrospinal fluid, nerve tissue, and other samples have been sent for testing to identify potential infections that may have triggered the syndrome. Results are expected within a week, said Dr. Sanjeev Thakur, dean of Solapur’s Vaishampayan Medical College.

In the Pune cluster, medical experts have detected the presence of Campylobacter jejuni bacteria and norovirus in patient samples. Both are known to trigger GBS in some cases.

Dr. Rakhi Mane, head of Solapur Municipal Corporation’s health department, stated that the deceased had been administered a five-day course of immunoglobulin injections as part of the treatment protocol.

The outbreak has sparked heightened health surveillance, with experts urging increased public awareness and strict monitoring of potential triggers.

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