Concerns in Pune are growing as the city reports two deaths due to Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), an immunological nerve disorder, with the total cases now crossing 101 as of Sunday.
Pune Municipal Corporation Commissioner Rajendra Bhosale inspected PMC-run Kamla Nehru Hospital and instructed the authorities to reserve 60 beds for GBS patients there.
"The total number of GBS cases has increased to 101, comprising 68 men and 33 women. Of these, 17 are on ventilator support," an official from the state health department said on Sunday. "62 patients are from Pune rural, 19 from Pune Municipal Corporation, 14 from Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, and 6 are from other districts," he added.
15 beds in ICU
Speaking with Free Press Journal, Medical Superintendent Dr. Prashant Bothe of Kamla Nehru Hospital said, "Today the PMC commissioner inspected the hospital and instructed to reserve 60 beds for GBS patients. We have reserved 15 beds in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 15 beds in male and female wards each. As of now, no patients of GBS have been admitted, but we are receiving inquiry calls regarding ICU admissions. We will be admitting GBS patients in the ICU only after consulting with the doctors where they were earlier being treated."
"PMC has already been alerting and advising the public to follow precautionary measures and avoid eating outside food and water. We are also urging citizens to use boiled filtered water for cleansing fruits and vegetables," added Bothe.
What is GBS?
GBS is a rare condition that causes sudden numbness and muscle weakness, with symptoms including severe limb weakness, loose motions, etc. Bacterial and viral infections generally lead to GBS by weakening the patient’s immune system, according to doctors. While GBS can affect both children and young adults, it is not expected to result in an epidemic or pandemic, and most patients will recover fully with treatment.
