GBS outbreak in Maharashtra has kept the authorities on alert. While no suspected deaths are reported today, the total number of suspected patients has increased to 184. Of these 155 are confirmed GBS patients. As of now, 89 patients have been discharged, while 21 patients are on ventilator.
As per an official statement by the health department, at least 35 patients are from Pune Municipal Corporation, 88 from newly added villages in the PMC area, 25 from the Pimpri Chinchwad civic limits, 24 from Pune Rural and eight from other districts. While 79 patients have been discharged, 58 are in ICU and 22 on ventilator support.
Death count remains six
In the release issued by the department on February 9, no new casualty has been reported and the death count remains at 6. Notably, of the total casualties, only one has been confirmed due to GBS, rest are suspected.
Mumbai's first GBS case
Mumbai reported its first case of GBS on Friday after a 64-year-old woman was diagnosed with the rare nerve disorder. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner and its state-appointed administrator, Bhushan Gagrani, said the patient was currently undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a civic-run hospital.
BMC officials said the woman, who resides in the Andheri (East) area of the city, was hospitalised with a history of fever and diarrhoea that was followed by ascending paralysis. The woman was initially hospitalised on January 21. Within three days, she developed difficulty in walking and progressive weakness in her lower limbs.
GBS outbreak
GBS is a rare condition in which a person's immune system attacks the peripheral nerves, resulting in muscle weakness, loss of sensation in the legs and/or arms, as well as problems swallowing or breathing. Severe cases can result in near-total paralysis.
GBS is more common in adults and males, though people of all ages can be affected.