Pune's Waterborne GBS Outbreak: 166 Cases, 5 Deaths, and the Importance of Clean Water
Pune's recent outbreak of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), caused by contaminated water from the Khadakwasla area, highlights the dangers of ignoring infrastructure for real estate profits.
GbsWaterborne DiseasesPuneCampylobacter JejuniUrbanizationReal Estate NewsFeb 05, 2025
Unlike COVID-19, GBS is not communicable, but it is caused by bacterial or viral pathogens.
After testing more than 70 patients, the Maharashtra State health department concluded that the GBS outbreak in Pune is waterborne, with the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni (C-jejuni) identified as the culprit.
Out of 166 cases, five have died, 52 have been discharged, 21 are on ventilators, and 61 are in ICU.
This is India’s worst-ever GBS outbreak, prompting the State health department to advise Pune residents to be cautious with food and water consumption.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has dispatched a team of doctors to Pune to support medical staff with technical and on-ground assistance.
The first GBS case was identified on January 9, and since then, major hospitals such as Kamla Nehru Hospital, YCM Hospital in Pimpri–Chinchwad, and the government-run Sassoon Hospital have been treating patients.
The distribution of GBS cases is significant 31 from Pune municipal area, 83 from newly added villages, 18 from Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporation, 18 from Pune rural areas, and eight from other districts.
The State government has announced that GBS treatment, which can be expensive, will be provided free of cost.
Recent tests revealed that the water from wells and borewells around the Khadakwasla dam is contaminated, with some samples showing a bacterial count of 16+ MPN, far above the safe limit of zero MPN for human consumption.
Pradeep Awate, a former State surveillance of epidemiology department officer, highlighted the critical issue of access to clean water in the villages around Pune.
He noted that as cities expand, these villages are often incorporated into municipal areas without adequate infrastructure, leading to health hazards like fever and gastroenteritis outbreaks.
Pune's rapid but unplanned urbanization has been a subject of debate.
Author and activist Tanmay Kanitkar commented, 'Pune is growing, but the focus is on real estate profits rather than basic amenities like a sewage system, drinking water, open spaces, and proper roads.' This growth, driven by political and real estate interests, has overshadowed essential development norms.
The Maharashtra urban development department recently approved the inclusion of 23 villages in the Pune Metropolitan Region Area (PMRDA), but these areas still lack basic infrastructure.
Opposition leaders like Sunil Mane, spokesperson for NCP (Sharad Pawar), claim that the expansion was politically motivated, lacking the necessary groundwork.
Pune's real estate sector, which has seen a 15% growth in 2024, is a significant economic driver due to its IT, manufacturing, and educational industries.
However, this growth has come at the cost of neglecting essential infrastructure, as evidenced by the GBS outbreak.
In response, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has convened multiple meetings with health officials and instructed immediate water purification measures in the Khadakwasla dams and surrounding areas.
The GBS outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the importance of sustainable urban development and the need for proper infrastructure to prevent health crises.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)?
GBS is a rare but treatable disease where the immune system attacks the nervous system, causing numbness and, in severe cases, respiratory issues. It is not contagious like COVID-19 but is caused by bacterial or viral pathogens.
What caused the GBS outbreak in Pune?
The GBS outbreak in Pune is caused by contaminated water, specifically from the Khadakwasla area, where the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni (C-jejuni) was identified.
How many cases and deaths have been reported in the Pune GBS outbreak?
There have been 166 cases of GBS in Pune, with five deaths, 52 discharges, 21 patients on ventilators, and 61 in ICU.
What is the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in addressing the GBS outbreak?
The WHO has sent a team of doctors to Pune to provide technical and on-ground support to the medical staff, helping them manage the GBS outbreak effectively.
What measures are being taken to prevent future outbreaks in Pune?
Immediate water purification measures are being implemented in the Khadakwasla dams and surrounding areas. Additionally, there is a growing emphasis on sustainable urban development and proper infrastructure to prevent health crises.
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