Pune Sees Decline in GBS Cases, PMC Seeks Official Declaration to End Outbreak
In a significant development, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has formally requested the state public health department to declare the end of the Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) outbreak. This comes after a steady decline in cases, with the last reported instance dating back to March 2, 2025.
The outbreak, which initially caught authorities off guard, began with an unusual spike in suspected GBS cases from January 9 this year. Clusters of cases were reported in areas such as Nandegaon, Nanded, Dhayari, Kirkitwadi, and Khadakwasla, with the first case detected in the Sinhagad Road area on January 13. Civic health officials suspected contaminated drinking water and food as the primary sources of the infection and swiftly implemented preventive measures and surveillance to curb the spread.
The cases peaked on January 20 but have since shown a consistent decline. A senior health official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that no new cases have been reported in the affected areas since March 2. However, sporadic cases in other parts of the city are expected, as has been the trend in previous years.
To date, PMC has reported 141 GBS cases and nine suspected deaths, with 120 patients confirmed as infected. Of these, 117 have been successfully discharged, while 15 continue to receive treatment in various hospitals.
Dr. Nina Borade, PMC’s health chief, emphasized that while the civic body has sought permission to declare the outbreak over, passive surveillance will continue in municipal hospitals and clinics to monitor any potential resurgence.
GBS is a rare but treatable neurological disorder where the immune system attacks the nerves, causing symptoms such as weakness in the limbs, tingling, numbness, and, in severe cases, difficulty walking, swallowing, or breathing.
The PMC’s proactive measures and collaboration with health authorities have played a crucial role in managing the outbreak, offering hope for a return to normalcy in the affected areas.
