Pune Reports Most Guillain-Barré Syndrome Cases as Waterborne Outbreak Spreads in India

Tamil Nadu has reported its first confirmed case of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) after a 10-year-old boy passed away at Chennai's Institute of Child Health on January 31. This development brings the total number of fatalities linked to the rare yet treatable neurological disorder in India to seven since last month.

Meanwhile, Pune remains the most affected region, accounting for five of these deaths. On the same day, Maharashtra health authorities identified Campylobacter jejuni as the primary bacterial culprit behind the outbreak. Based on current findings, officials suspect that contaminated water is the main source of transmission.

According to a senior health department official, laboratory analysis of 70 stool samples collected from patients revealed that 27 tested positive for C. jejuni. This discovery supports concerns that the bacterium had tainted drinking water in the affected area, triggering the surge in cases.

Authorities have ruled out the possibility of a foodborne outbreak. Experts explain that food-related epidemics typically follow a point-source pattern, meaning infections would be traced back to a specific food item consumed within a known incubation period. In contrast, the current spread suggests a different transmission route, with water contamination being the likely cause.

Health officials continue to monitor the situation and are implementing necessary measures to contain the outbreak and prevent further cases.