GBS, the Guillain- Barre Syndrome has been on a rise in the state of Maharashtra. It has claimed two lives till now, the recent one of a 56-year old woman who succumbed to death at Pune’s Sassoon General Hospital on Wednesday. Not only in Pune, more residents are being admitted to hospitals from other cities as well, including Nagpur.

Following the outbreak, Maharashtra’s Health Minister Prakash Abitkar visited Pune this weekend. He said that around 80% of the infected patients belong to the same area and “it’s likely that polluted water is the cause of the outbreak.” Further the minister added that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has been taking all the necessary steps to tackle the issue by plugging the 12 leaks, replacing drainage lines and making required arrangements of ventilators and other medications.

Abitkar told ANI, “Patients with GBS Syndrome are increasing in Pune, which has become a matter of concern. We will soon get the opinion of our expert team of doctors regarding GBS patients. The Pune Municipal Corporation and the Maharashtra Health Department are working well so that the number of patients does not increase.”

A team of seven experts has been sent to Maharashtra, which includes experts from the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) Delhi, NIMHANS Bengaluru, The Regional Office for Health & Family Welfare, and the National Institute for Virology (Pune). Three experts from NIV, Pune have been already present ensuring support to the local authorities.

Here is an explainer about the GBS, its symptoms and the measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of disease.

What is Guillain- Barre Syndrome?

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an auto-immune disease which is said to occur a few weeks after a viral infection. GBS is a neurological disorder where the body’s immune system attacks the nervous system (the part outside brain and spinal cord). It causes paralysis of four limbs, along with the neck, and respiratory and swallowing muscles. The disease can affect people of all age groups and genders. It is not contagious or inherited. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), GBS is not fatal, mostly patients recover fully.

Symptoms of the disease

GBS is sudden and unexpected, it occurs through-

• Weakness starting from the lower limb and sometimes can also be the upper limb onset,
• The sensation starts from the legs and can then spread over the arms and face, where people start facing pain in their arms or legs and back pain,
• As mentioned earlier, in some cases it paralyses the legs, arms or the muscles of the face,
• WHO records that a 1/3^rd people suffer from breathing difficulties, as it might affect the chest muscles too. Further affecting their ability to speak and swallow.

Measures to reduce the risk of infection

The Guillain- Barre Syndrome cannot be really prevented, however the risk of getting infected can be reduced. There is no known cure of the disease, only proper treatment can lessen the symptoms and lead to speedy recovery. The recommended daily measures include:

1. Maintaining hygiene- Firstly, it is essential to maintain a good hygiene. It is suggested to practice regular hand washing with soap and hand wash, instead of water simply. Wash the fruits and vegetables properly before eating. This reduces the risk of infections that can result into respiratory or gastrointestinal issues.
2. Proper cooked food- Infections soar further when they are food-borne. To prevent this, it is essential to cook the food properly, especially meat and poultry. Campylobacter Jejuni is common bacteria that triggers GBS, which is a food-borne infection. To prevent this, ensure properly cooked food. Avoid eating raw or uncooked food, like eggs, salads, seafood, etc. Along with this, practice drinking boiled water or bottled water.
3. Early treatment- If you are suffering from any bacterial or viral infections, then make sure you take a proper treatment that too early on. This minimizes any complications that may arise later on. Moreover, if you are experiencing conditions of persistent diarrhea or respiratory illnesses, then consult a doctor immediately.
4. Keep monitoring- If you have had any illness or vaccination recently, then keep tracking on for any visible early signs of GBS. This may include muscle weakness or a prickling sensation, then seek out for immediate medical attention.

When the person suffers from GBS, immediate medical intervention is required. This reduces the developing problems and increases the chance of recovery. To treat the symptoms, Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy and Plasmapheresis (plasma exchange) are the most commonly used treatments. As there is no specific vaccine available for the disease, even the Flu and Zika vaccines are used to reduce the infections.  

Instead of any panic or belief in rumors, just make sure you do the necessary before hand, like the basic hygeine. And ensure medical help when you feel any kind of symptoms.