GBS Outbreak Spreads Across South India Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra Report Deaths
The spread of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare and serious neurological disorder, has raised alarm across South India, with recent deaths reported in both Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. The condition, which can cause muscle weakness, paralysis, and even respiratory failure, has now extended its reach beyond Maharashtra, where it was first concentrated, to other states, including Andhra Pradesh and Mumbai.
The first GBS-related death in Andhra Pradesh has been reported in Srikakulam district, where a 10-year-old boy tragically succumbed to the illness. The boy, initially treated at private hospitals in Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam, was later transferred to James Hospital in Ragolu. Despite medical efforts, he was declared brain dead. In a heart-wrenching decision, his parents opted to donate his organs. This marks a sorrowful milestone as the first reported GBS death in the state, adding to the growing concerns about the disorder’s spread.
Mumbai, too, has witnessed its first fatality from GBS, with a 53-year-old man passing away after succumbing to the disease. The man, an employee at the BMC’s V N Desai Hospital, had been on ventilator support at Nair Hospital before he died on February 10. Health authorities are currently investigating whether this case is linked to the ongoing GBS outbreak in Pune, where the disease is more widespread. Maharashtra, particularly Pune, remains the epicentre of the outbreak. The district has reported eight deaths thus far, including the most recent fatality of a 59-year-old man from Khadakwasla. This man developed symptoms of muscle weakness before tragically suffering a sudden cardiac arrest on February 11. The outbreak in Pune has reached concerning levels, with over 200 suspected cases. As of now, 52 patients remain in intensive care, and 20 individuals are on ventilator support.
With the addition of the Andhra Pradesh fatality, the total death toll from GBS has now reached nine across the affected states. Health authorities in both states are actively investigating the situation, though they have reassured the public that GBS is not contagious. The condition is an autoimmune disorder, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves, leading to symptoms that range from mild muscle weakness to full-body paralysis and, in severe cases, respiratory failure. Experts warn that timely medical intervention is crucial. Though there is no known cure, treatments like intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and plasma exchange have shown promising results, improving the likelihood of recovery. Most patients who receive treatment promptly regain mobility within six months, but complete recovery can take up to a year. As the outbreak spreads, health authorities are encouraging vigilance and awareness of the symptoms of GBS, which can progress rapidly.
The infrastructure challenges in dealing with an outbreak of this nature are significant. Rapid diagnosis and intervention require well-equipped hospitals with ICU and ventilator facilities, a resource that is in high demand during such crises. In areas like Pune, where the outbreak is most intense, the pressure on healthcare infrastructure has grown. The surge in GBS cases is also testing the capacity of public health systems in terms of providing adequate care, ensuring timely medical intervention, and managing the strain on critical resources. Given the fast-moving nature of this outbreak, authorities have been urged to streamline healthcare operations and ensure that public health systems are adequately prepared to handle further cases. Hospitals in affected regions are on high alert, and health officials are monitoring the situation closely. While the situation remains concerning, medical experts remain hopeful that with timely intervention and greater awareness, most patients can recover and regain their full mobility.
