Mumbai Reports 1st Death Due To Guillain-Barré Syndrome; 53-Yr-Old BMC Hospital Ward Boy Succumbs To Virus

Mumbai: The city has reported its first death due to Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), bringing the total fatalities from the disease to eight in Maharashtra. The deceased, a 53-year-old man from Wadala, was a ward boy at Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) B N Desai Hospital. He was admitted to Nair Hospital, where he was placed on a ventilator but eventually succumbed to the disease, as per reports.

This comes just days after Mumbai recorded its first GBS case when a 64-year-old woman was diagnosed with the syndrome. The woman had a history of diarrhoea and fever, which was followed by ascending paralysis, a hallmark symptom of the disease.

According to a PTI report, the tally of suspected and confirmed Guillain-Barre Syndrome cases in Pune alone reached 197. This comes after five more patients were detected with the rare nerve disorder. The total number of fatalities in Maharashtra has reached to eight.

Meanwhile, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has taken swift action in response to the growing GBS outbreak. Authorities sealed 30 private water supply plants located in Nanded village, Dhayari and nearby areas along Sinhgad Road in Pune. These areas have been identified as the epicentre of the outbreak. The decision to shut down the plants came after water samples collected from them were found to be unfit for consumption.

What Is Guillain-Barré Syndrome?

Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a rare neurological disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nervous system. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the syndrome often develops after an individual is infected with certain bacteria or viruses.

The condition primarily affects nerves responsible for muscle movement, touch, temperature, and pain sensations. This leads to symptoms such as muscle weakness, loss of sensation in the legs and arms and, in severe cases, difficulty in breathing or swallowing.

Although the exact cause of GBS remains unclear, it is often linked to prior viral or bacterial infections, vaccinations, or major surgeries. These triggers can cause the immune system to become hyperactive, leading to the attack on the body's nerves.