First suspected Guillain Barre syndrome death reported in country; cases cross 100-mark, more children under treatment

PUNE: The first death over the Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS)was reported in Maharashtra on Monday. A 30-year-old man who was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Pune's Solapur died. Reports indicate that the patient had diarrhoea, cough and cold.

He was admitted to the emergency department of a private hospital in Solapur on January 18. On the last day, the patient was shifted to a room after his health improved. But things went awry late at night after he endured breathing difficulties, forcing doctors to rush him to the emergency department. The number of GBS cases in Pune has risen to 101 while 28 cases have been reported in the last 24 hours alone. 16 patients are currently on ventilators.

Symptoms were found in 19 children under the age of nine. Officials also informed that 23 people aged between 50 and 80 have been diagnosed with the disease. The health department has increased the number of tests due to the increasing number of cases. Guillain Barré syndrome is a rare neurological condition where the body's immune system attacks the nerves. Although it is seen in children and young people, health experts downplayed concerns of this being an epidemic. The immune system attacks the nerves, leading to weakness, numbness, and paralysis. The exact causes of this condition remain unknown.

Weakness is first felt in the legs. Then the weakness spreads to the trunk, arms and face. Doctors also say that the brain may receive abnormal sensory signals due to damage to the nervous system. Diagnosis is made by reviewing the patient's medical history and physical examination. Doctors say that there is currently no cure for Guillain-Barre syndrome.