Guillain-Barré Syndrome Outbreak in Maharashtra-India Spreads to West Bengal and Telangana While Water Tests are Inconclusive

Medical News: Mysterious Guillain-Barré Syndrome Outbreak Continues to Spread
The outbreak of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in Maharashtra, India, has taken a concerning turn as cases have now been reported in West Bengal and Telangana. With the total number of suspected cases reaching 130, health officials remain puzzled over the exact cause of the outbreak. Initial investigations pointed towards contaminated water as a possible source, but water sample tests have failed to confirm the presence of Campylobacter jejuni, the bacterium commonly associated with GBS. This has left researchers searching for alternative explanations and methods to identify the origin of the outbreak.


Guillain-Barré Syndrome Outbreak in Maharashtra-India Spreads to West Bengal and Telangana While Water Tests are Inconclusive

Two more individuals died in Pune in the last 24 hours bring to death toll to now 4 while more than 47 are currently in ICU.
 
In West Bengal, three people have died from the condition so far while in Telangana, a woman in is critical condition due to the condition and is unlike to survive.
 
It is now being suspected that the number of cases could be far much higher as many doctors are not identifying the cases properly and hospitals are not reporting the cases. Also, more states across India could be affected but again state officials are not disclosing details.
 
The National Institute of Virology (NIV) has taken the lead in this investigation, aiming to determine whether a genetically distinct and potentially more dangerous strain of Campylobacter jejuni could be responsible. This Medical News report explores the latest updates, potential causes, and the unfolding impact of the outbreak as it spreads beyond Maharashtra.
 
Escalation of Cases in Maharashtra
According to the latest reports, the Maharashtra health department has confirmed 73 GBS cases out of the total 130 suspected cases, along with two suspected deaths. A 56-year-old woman from Pune and another individual from the same city have succumbed to the illness. The highest number of cases have emerged from newly incorporated villages under the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), followed by rural Pune and the Pimpri-Chinchwad region.
 
In response, a District Planning Committee meeting, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, was convened in Pune. He directed health officials to take stringent action against hospitals overcharging GBS patients and emphasized the need for an uninterrupted supply of essential drugs to treat the disorder, which can cause muscle weakness and paralysis.
 
While health authorities continue to suspect contaminated water as a potential trigger, the ongoing investigation by NIV remains crucial in uncovering the actual cause. Researchers are now analyzing the genetic composition of the bacteria found in infected patients to assess whether a more virulent strain is behind the sudden rise in cases.
 
Hy derabad Reports First Case as GBS Spreads to Telangana
Hyderabad has reported its first potential case of GBS, marking its spread to Telangana. A woman from Siddipet has been diagnosed with the syndrome and is currently in critical condition, requiring ventilator support. Doctors suspect that her case may be linked to the ongoing outbreak in Pune.
 
GBS is a rare autoimmune disorder that affects the nervous system, typically occurring two to six weeks after a bacterial or viral infection. The condition leads to muscle weakness, numbness, and in severe cases, paralysis. While most patients recover with treatment, early diagnosis and intervention are critical in preventing life-threatening complications.
 
West Bengal Reports Deaths Linked to GBS
Following the outbreak in Maharashtra, West Bengal is now also witnessing a worrying rise in GBS cases. In the past four days, three people, including a child, have reportedly died from suspected GBS. A 10-year-old child from Jagatdal, North 24 Parganas, succumbed after undergoing treatment at BC Roy Hospital in Kolkata. Another case involved a 17-year-old from the same district who exhibited symptoms of GBS before passing away at NRS Medical College and Hospital. While the exact cause of these deaths is still being confirmed, doctors suspect a link to the ongoing outbreak.
 
Additionally, a 48-year-old man from Hooghly was reported to have died from a suspected immunological nerve disorder, although official confirmation from the state health department is pending. Four more children exhibiting GBS symptoms are currently receiving treatment at hospitals in Kolkata.
 
What is Guillain-Barré Syndrome?
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare neurological disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nervous system. This can lead to muscle weakness, numbness, difficulty in movement, and, in severe cases, complete paralysis.
 
The immune system, which typically defends the body against infections, mistakenly targets nerve cells in GBS, disrupting communication between the brain and muscles. The exact cause remains unclear, but the syndrome is often triggered by bacterial or viral infections, surgeries, or, in rare cases, vaccinations. Studies have linked GBS to Campylobacter jejuni, a bacterium found in contaminated food and water, but investigations in Maharashtra have yet to confirm this as the cause.
 
Possible Causes of the Outbreak
While the precise trigger for the ongoing GBS outbreak remains uncertain, researchers are focusing on several potential explanations:
 
-Bacterial Infection: Campylobacter jejuni is a known cause of GBS, but water tests have not confirmed its presence. Further genetic analysis is being conducted to check for a more virulent strain.
 
-Post-Viral Syndrome: Some experts believe that the outbreak may be linked to a post-infectious immune response following a viral infection, similar to cases observed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
-Environmental Factors: Unidentified environmental toxins or pollutants in affected regions are also being considered as potential contributors.
 
-Food or Water Contamination: Though water samples have tested negative so far, researchers are continuing to investigate other possible sources of exposure.
 
Thailand Medical News strongly believes viral pathogens that are spawning new lineages that are more neurotrophic are possibly behind the GSB outbreak.
 
The possible viral pathogens could be:
-new HMPV lineages originating from the A2 subtypes that were wreaking havoc in China for a while.
 
-new SARS-CoV-2 lineages originating from the L and M lineages that many are saying is not detectable by current rapid test kits or by molecular testing.

-new H5 reassortant lineages that are reported to be wreaking havoc in parts of China such as Shanxi but are being covered up by the Chinese Government and the WHO.
 
The Way Forward
As the outbreak spreads beyond Maharashtra, health authorities across India are ramping up surveillance and preparedness measures. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has assured the public that the situation is being closely monitored, and there is currently no evidence to suggest that GBS will lead to an epidemic.
 
Hospitals in affected regions have been instructed to stock essential medications, including immunoglobulins and plasmapheresis treatment options, which are crucial for managing GBS patients. Additionally, public health campaigns are being initiated to raise awareness about the symptoms and early warning signs of the disorder.
 
Conclusion
The outbreak of Guillain-Barré Syndrome in Maharashtra, and its subsequent spread to West Bengal and Telangana, has left health officials grappling with unanswered questions. While initial suspicions pointed to contaminated water as a possible cause, tests have yielded inconclusive results, deepening the mystery surrounding the outbreak. The National Institute of Virology continues its investigation, with a focus on identifying a possible high-risk bacterial strain or other environmental factors that may have contributed to the sudden rise in cases. Meanwhile, hospitals are working to provide adequate treatment to those affected, and public health authorities are striving to contain the spread. Until the root cause is determined, the outbreak remains a pressing public health concern in India.
 
Media References:
https://www.republicworld.com/india/guillain-barre-syndrome-outbreak-telangana-reports-first-case-woman-s-condition-critical
 
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/telangana-reports-first-case-of-guillain-barr%C3%A9-syndrome-25-year-old-woman-in-critical-condition/article69163506.ece
 
https://www.oneindia.com/india/guillain-barre-syndrome-claims-two-more-lives-in-maharashtra-death-toll-climbs-4058543.html
 
https://indtoday.com/possible-first-case-of-guillain-barre-syndrome-gbs/
 
https://www.financialexpress.com/life/gbs-outbreak-inconclusive-water-tests-deepen-mystery-over-cause-cases-climbs-to-130-3732041/
 
https://www.thehansindia.com/news/cities/hyderabad/hyderabad-woman-diagnosed-with-guillain-barr-syndrome-following-pune-outbreak-941169
 
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/maharashtra-guillain-barre-syndrome-case-tally-reaches-130-101738296282297.html
 
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/inconclusive-water-tests-deepen-gbs-mystery-pune-tally-rises-to-130/articleshow/117758161.cms
 
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/west-bengal/guillain-barr%C3%A9-syndrome-suspected-behind-three-deaths-in-west-bengal/article69156001.ece
 
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/guillain-barre-syndrome-gbs-death-kolkata-hospital-9805848/
 
For the latest Outbreak News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
 
Read Also:
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