After the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, India is undergoing a new panic called Guillain-Barré Syndrome or GBS. Already, many people from the Indian state of Maharashtra have been affected by this neurological disease. On 27th January 2025, nine more cases suspected to be affected by GBS, have been reported in Pune, leading to the total number of GBS cases in Pune to 110. Among these numbers, 73 are men and 37 are women whereas the number of patients who required ventilator support is 13, as said by a health department official.
On the other hand, the first death case in Maharashtra, probably due to the Guillain-Barré Syndrome, comes from the Solapur district. According to officials, the resident of Solapur, aged 40 years old, who died recently, has come to Pune, where it is assumed that the man becomes the victim of this disease. With symptoms like diarrhoea, weakness in lower limbs, and breathing problems, the patient was found to be admitted to a private hospital in Solapur on 18th January 2025 and kept the ventilator support. Finally, the patient has been seen to die on Sunday, 26th January 2025.
Among the other Indian States, news of the death of a student of the 12th class comes from West Bengal. A 17-year-old boy, Aritra Mandal, residing in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, died on 27th January 2025 while undergoing treatment in hospital due to symptoms similar to GBS. The death certificate of the minor, which has been circulated, also mentioned the GBS as the suspected reason for the death.
On the 22nd of January evening, the boy suffered from a sore throat and fever. The next day, when he felt weaknesses in his hands, he was admitted to Barasat Medical College with the advice of a doctor. For better treatment, he was later transferred to NRS Medical College and then died on 27th January during treatment.
What is Guillain-Barré syndrome?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Guillain-Barré Syndrome refers to a rare condition in which the peripheral nerves are found to be attacked by the immune system of the person. The syndrome has the potential to impact the nerves which are accountable for controlling muscle movement as well as the nerves responsible for the transmission of temperature, pain and touch sensations. As a result, one can experience muscle weakness, shortness of breath, and loss of sensation in the arms or legs.
People belonging to all age groups can be affected by this neurological disease. It generally occurs among male adults belonging to the age group of 30 to 50. WHO also described the syndrome as a rare disease. Each year, around 100000 people across the world become victims of GBS. This means around only 1 in every 78000 people every year seeks to get treatment for this disease.
Factors responsible for causing GBS
Though the cause of GBS is not fully understood yet, in most cases, it occurs after getting infected with a virus or bacteria. One of the major risk factors for this disease is infection by Campylobacter jejuni, one kind of bacteria responsible for causing gastroenteritis along with diarrhoea, vomiting or nausea. There are also chances of developing GBS after getting infected with flu or other viral infections such as Zika virus, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus.
Around two in three people are found to be having respiratory infection weeks before the development of GBS symptoms. In rare cases, vaccinations can also lead to the development of GBS among people. However, there is quite less probability of these types of incidents. In rare instances, post-surgery, GBS can also be developed.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome include muscle weakness or paresthesia. These symptoms generally are found to be first perceived in the legs and then in the arms and face. Due to muscle weakness, one can feel difficulty in walking or climbing stairs.
Based on the severity of the condition, some other symptoms which can occur include chest muscle weakness, paralysis of the arms, legs or face muscles, breathing problems, difficulty in speaking, swallowing, and eye movement, vision problems, unstable blood pressure, and digestion issues. In the most serious form, a few patients are found to have died from GBS. Symptoms usually remain for a few weeks, but in most cases, people completely recover from GBS without too many complications.
Treatment
As GBS may be life-threatening, therefore it is recommended that the individuals experiencing severe symptoms like GBS be hospitalised so that the doctors can closely monitor the condition. People with symptoms similar to GBS are most likely to be referred to neurological exams, along with some other tests like electromyography (EMG), blood tests, nerve conduction tests and imaging tests.
In terms of the occurrence of any complications, the patients are provided medical support in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the hospitals. Plasma exchange or Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (IVIG) is also often regarded as the treatment process for GBS complications. As the prevention methods which can lower the risk of GBS, it is advised that individuals remain healthy and fit, wash their hands regularly, avoid processed foods, eat balanced and healthy foods, exercise daily and remain away from people having infections.
Initiatives taken by the government to manage GBS cases in Pune
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has appointed a high-level multidisciplinary team to support the state health authorities of Pune in managing the increasing cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome in the city. The central team sent to Maharashtra involves seven experts from the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) Delhi, the National Institute for Virology (NIV) and, the Regional Office of Health & Family Welfare, Pune, and NIMHANS Bengaluru.
The team is accountable for working closely with the state health departments and monitoring on ground situation and therefore recommending effective public health interventions. As an initiative towards controlling the situation, a survey has already been performed in a total of 25578 houses, among which 15761 are in Pune Municipal Corporation, 6,098 are in the district’s rural areas, and 3719 houses are in Chinchwad Municipal Corporation area.
FAQ
1. What is Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)?
Guillain-Barré Syndrome refers to a rare condition in which the peripheral nerves are found to be attacked by the immune system of the person. The syndrome has the potential to impact the nerves which are accountable for controlling muscle movement as well as the nerves responsible for the transmission of temperature, pain and touch sensations.
2. What are the symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome?
The most common symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome include muscle weakness or paresthesia. Some other symptoms which can occur include chest muscle weakness, paralysis of the arms, legs or face muscles, breathing problems, difficulty in speaking, swallowing, and eye movement, vision problems, unstable blood pressure, and digestion issues.
3. How is Guillain-Barré Syndrome diagnosed?
People with symptoms similar to GBS are most likely to be referred to do neurological exams, along with some other tests like electromyography (EMG), blood tests, nerve conduction tests and imaging tests.
4. Who is most at risk for Guillain-Barré Syndrome?
People belonging to all age groups can be affected by this neurological disease while it generally occurs among the male adults belonging to the age group of 30 to 50.
5. What can individuals do to lower the risk of developing GBS?
It is advised that the individuals remain healthy and fit, wash their hands regularly, avoid processed foods, eat balanced and healthy foods, exercise daily and remain away from people having infections.