Maharashtra Govt Directs Hospitals to Prepare for GBS Outbreak

Mumbai- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed the administration to make special arrangements in government hospitals for the treatment of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) patients following an outbreak of the disease. This announcement came after a review of the situation during the weekly cabinet meeting held on Tuesday.

While GBS patients are currently receiving treatment, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for specialized care to ensure their well-being. The treatment for GBS is already covered under the state's health insurance scheme, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, and the Public Health Department will bear the costs of any additional procedures required.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar clarified that specific instructions have been issued to authorities in Pune to treat patients at the Kamla Nehru Hospital and the Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital.

State Health Minister Prakash Abitkar reassured the public that GBS is a rare disease and not contagious, attributing it to decreased immunity. He confirmed that a review has been conducted in Pune, and both the state and Pune Municipal Corporation's Health Departments are actively taking measures.

Currently, there are 111 GBS patients in Pune, with 80 concentrated within a five-kilometer radius. The National Institute of Virology has assisted in testing 35,000 houses and 94,000 citizens. While one death has been reported, it is yet to be confirmed if GBS was the cause.

The Public Health Department has outlined several measures taken, including deploying a state-level rapid response team to the affected area, increasing surveillance activities, and testing stool samples for enteric viruses. The department has also advised the public to maintain personal hygiene, avoid keeping cooked and uncooked food together, and drink boiled water to prevent the spread of the virus.

GBS is an autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system, causing muscle weakness and, in severe cases, paralysis. Symptoms include sudden weakness in limbs, paralysis, difficulty walking, and persistent diarrhea.

The Public Health Department advises the public to remain calm and visit a government hospital if any symptoms appear.