The Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is slowly spreading its tentacles to the south with Andhra Pradesh reporting its first GBS-related death, a 10-year-old boy from Srikakulam district. The child was initially treated at private hospitals in Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam before being transferred to James Hospital in Ragolu, where he was declared brain dead. His parents have since decided to donate his organs.
Mumbai, too, reported its first fatality from GBS after a 53-year-old man succumbed to the rare neurological disorder. The deceased, an employee of BMC’s V N Desai Hospital, had been on ventilator support at Nair Hospital before passing away on February 10. Authorities are investigating whether this case is linked to the ongoing GBS outbreak in Pune.
Maharashtra has been grappling with a surge in GBS cases, with Pune being the epicentre. The district has recorded eight deaths, the latest being a 59-year-old man from Khadakwasla who was admitted to Kashibai Navale Medical College and General Hospital. He developed symptoms such as muscle weakness before experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest on February 11. Pune has reported over 200 suspected cases, with 52 patients currently in intensive care and 20 requiring ventilator support after a 53-year-old man succumbed to a rare neurological disorder. The deceased, an employee of BMC’s V N Desai Hospital, had been on ventilator support at Nair Hospital before passing away on February 10. Authorities are investigating whether this case is linked to the ongoing GBS outbreak in Pune.
Total death toll of GBS
With the addition of the Andhra Pradesh fatality, the total death toll from GBS now stands at nine.
What is GBS?
GBS is a rare but serious autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and, in severe cases, respiratory failure. While the exact cause remains unknown, it is often linked to viral or bacterial infections. The condition can progress rapidly, requiring intensive medical intervention, including mechanical ventilation if respiratory muscles are affected.
Health authorities in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh have urged caution but reassured the public that GBS is not contagious. District officials have been instructed to monitor cases closely and raise awareness about symptoms. While treatment methods like intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and plasma exchange have improved outcomes, timely intervention remains critical. According to medical experts, most patients regain mobility within six months, though full recovery can take up to a year.