The Centre has sent a high-level multi-disciplinary team to Pune to support State health authorities in public health interventions and management of cases of Guillain Barre’ Syndrome (GBS) in Maharashtra.
GB syndrome is an auto-immune neurological condition where the immune system attacks the peripheral nerves. Maharashtra has reported over 100 cases, including one suspected death, according to reports.
The Central team comprises seven experts from the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) Delhi; Nimhans Bengaluru; Regional Office of Health and Family Welfare; and National Institute for Virology (NIV), Pune, the Union Health Ministry said.
Dr Pallavi Saple, Dean with Mumbai’s JJ Hospital told businessline that GBS is an illness “seen quite fairly in the population”, including in children. At any given time, hospitals would see “at least one or two cases admitted”, she said.
It is not something that the medical fraternity does not know, she said, adding that the point of concern was the “cluster” – or that cases were reported “in a short period and from a specific geographical area”.
GBS is an illness where the body “while attacking an infection, ends up attacking itself,” she explained, adding that the commonest bacteria causing this is Campylobacter jejuni bacteria, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea in patients. While most people get better, in some patients, the condition could get more serious.
The State health administration is investigating the source of infection, and sources point out, it could be from water or food contamination. Dr Saple advised basic hygiene measures, including drinking boiled or filtered water, and avoiding food that could be stale or contaminated.
Lower limb weakness
GBS affects the lower limbs and the condition moves upwards, reaching the chest – resulting in the person being unable to breathe, she explained, urging people to visit a doctor if they showed symptoms like weakness in their lower limbs.
The condition can be treated by Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG), she said, that could cost about ₹1 lakh in a private hosptital, as 10-odd vials would be needed. However, she added, in Maharashtra, this is covered by the State’s health insurance, and IVIGs are readily available in the market. The point to take note is that the hospital needs to have a ventilator set-up, in case of respiratory complications.