Mumbai, Feb 16 (IANS) Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme of Maharashtra’s Public Health Department said that a total of 181 patients have been infected with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) in the state so far while no new case was reported on Sunday.
The department said that there are other 27 cases who are suspected of being infected with GBS.
“A total of eight deaths have occurred so far. Of these, four deaths were confirmed as GBS while the other four were reported to be GBS suspected deaths,” it said.
The department further added that around 42 cases were reported from Pune MC; 94 from newly added villages in the PMC area; 30 from Pimpri Chinchwad MC; 32 from Pune Rural and 10 from other districts.
“Out of these patients, 131 have been discharged till now while 42 are in ICU and 21 are on ventilators,” the department added.
The department added that no new GBS case was reported on Sunday.
An official said that the common symptoms of GBS are sudden weakness in hands or legs/ paralysis and trouble while walking or weakness with sudden onset and Diarrhea (for sustained periods).
He further added that the state government has also taken measures to contain the disease, adding that a state-level rapid response team visited the affected area immediately; Pune MC and rural district authorities have been instructed to increase surveillance activities.
“At least 6977water samples from different parts of the city have been sent for chemical and biological analysis to the Public Health Laboratory, samples from 85 water sources found contaminated,” he said.
He added that instructions have been given to increase health promotion activities while an appeal has also been made to the private medical practitioners to notify any GBS patient of the respective public health authorities.
“Citizens should not panic–the state’s health department is prepared to
implement preventive and control measures. In house-to-house surveillance activities, 46534 houses in Pune MC, 26160 houses in PCMC and 13956 houses in Pune rural areas have been surveyed (a total of 86650).
The official added that around 82 Serum samples have been sent to NIMHANS Bengaluru for Antiganglioside Antibodies testing.
He also asked the citizens that the care should be taken to keep the water quality good. For example, drinking boiled water
“Food should be fresh and clean and do not eat stale food and partially cooked food (Chicken or mutton),” the official said.
–IANS
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