The number of suspected and confirmed cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) in Maharashtra has climbed to 207 after two new cases were reported, a health official confirmed. With these additions on Friday, the total number of confirmed cases has reached 180, out of which 20 patients are on ventilator support.
In response to the rising cases, Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar announced that the state government will introduce a new law to ensure access to clean drinking water and impose fines on those responsible for contaminating water sources. His statement comes amid growing concerns that the outbreak was triggered by waterborne bacteria.
“The Pune Municipal Corporation, state health department, and other agencies have worked tirelessly to contain the spread of GBS,” Abitkar told reporters.
He further stated that multiple agencies, including an expert team from the Centre, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the state health department, are actively working together to investigate the outbreak and prevent future cases.
“Now that it has been confirmed that the outbreak was caused by waterborne bacteria, responsibility will be fixed, and strict action will be taken against those found guilty of water contamination,” Abitkar added.
