One person was reported dead from the disease while the Maharashtra government has now announced free treatment for patients
In an unusual phenomenon, over 100 cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) including one death, have now been reported fromMaharashtra, causing concern among residents and the government. The Maharashtra government has now announced that treatment for the disease will be free even as Pune municipal authorities are examining the cause of the outbreak.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, meanwhile has deputed a high-level multi-disciplinary team to Pune, Maharashtra for supporting the State health authorities in instituting public health interventions and management in view of the spurt in suspected and confirmed cases of GBS.
The Central team to Maharashtra comprises of seven experts drawn from National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) Delhi, NIMHANS Bengaluru, Regional Office of Health & Family Welfare and National Institute for Virology (NIV), Pune.
One death in Solapur is suspected to have been caused by GBS but it is yet to be confirmed. Officials have said that the most likely source of the infections may be contaminated water.
A Medibulletin explainer:
What is Guillain-Barré Syndrome?
GBS is a neurological disorder, typically caused as a reaction to an infection in which the body’s own immune system, in a state of heightened activity, starts attacking the body’s own cells, mostly of the nervous system. The most common infections associated with GBS are GI infections, respiratory infections or a Zika infection. The patient typically starts complaining of a tingling sensation in the limbs but may quickly progress to difficulty in walking and other activities. It can also be caused by vaccination. During the COVID19 pandemic, some vaccines were associated with a higher risk of the recipient developing GBS.
How serious is the disease?
As the immune system’s attack on the nervous system spreads, patients can report varying degrees of muscular weakness or even paralysis. It can take months or even years for the patient to get back to normal though the disease is rarely fatal. In some patients there may be lasting symptoms of the disease such as fatigue and muscle weakness.
What is the treatment for GBS?
There is no specific treatment for GBS except medications to mitigate the symptoms to whatever extent possible. “Several treatment options can ease symptoms and help speed recovery. Most people recover completely from Guillain-Barre syndrome, but some serious illnesses can be fatal. While recovery may take up to several years, most people are able to walk again six months after symptoms first began,” says Mayo Clinic.
How expensive is the care of a GBS patient?
The most commonly used option used for GBS patients are immunoglobulin injections that can cost an estimated Rs 20,000 per shot. Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has now announced: “The treatment for this issue is very expensive. After discussions with officials from the district administration and municipal corporation, we have decided to provide free treatment to affected citizens. Those from Pimpri-Chinchwad will be treated at YCM Hospital, while patients from Pune Municipal Corporation areas will receive treatment at Kamla Nehru Hospital. For citizens from rural areas, free treatment will be provided at Sassoon Hospital in Pune.”
