In the wake of the identification of Guillain Barre Syndrome cases in Pune, the Centre has deputed a High-Level multi-disciplinary team to Maharashtra to support the state in public health interventions and management of the syndrome.
The high-level multi-disciplinary panel constituted by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare comprises seven experts drawn from the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) Delhi, NIMHANS Bengaluru, Regional Office of Health & Family Welfare and National Institute for Virology (NIV), Pune. Three experts from NIV, Pune were already supporting the local authorities; the central team has now been expanded.
The official release from the ministry said that the team will work closely with the State Health Departments take a stock of the on-ground situation and recommend necessary public health interventions. The Union Health Ministry is taking proactive steps by monitoring the situation and coordinating with the State.
Earlier, Maharashtra registered its first suspected casualty due to GBS. A man suspected to have contracted GBS has died in Solapur. As per the health officials, as of January 26, a total of 101 cases relating to Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) were reported in the Pune district of Maharashtra. Health department has urged people to not panic.
Of the total 101 GBS cases, 81 are reported from Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), 14 from Pimpri Chinchwad, and 6 from other parts of the district. The affected individuals include 68 males and 33 females, with 16 patients currently being on ventilators.
Maharashtra health department has asked people to not panic take precautionary measures. Make sure to keep the water quality good, boil water before drinking, consume fresh and clean food. Infection can be avoided also by not keeping cooked and uncooked food items together, said the health department.
(Reported by: Anamika Gaur)