36-Year-Old Ola Driver From Pimple Gurav Dies, Death Toll Reaches 3, Total Cases At 130, 20 On Ventilator

In the third death case in Pune district due to Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare nerve disorder, a 36-year-old Ola driver from Pimple Gurav passed away, officials said on Thursday.

He was admitted to Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital on January 21.

The post-mortem examination conducted by the committee at Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital concluded that the cause of death was “trauma to the lungs caused by pneumonia and subsequent death,” with GBS also contributing.

The committee identified the following causes of death:

Immediate Cause of Death: Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Antecedent Cause of Death: Bilateral Pneumonia

Other Significant Condition: Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Earlier, two patients — a 56-year-old woman from Pune and a man from Solapur district — had died due to suspected GBS.

The number of suspected cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in Pune and other districts of Maharashtra has now risen to 130, according to health department officials.

Of the total cases, 25 patients are from the Pune Municipal Corporation area, 74 from newly added villages in PMC, 13 from the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation area, 9 from Pune Rural, and 9 from other districts.

Out of these, 20 people are on ventilators, and three deaths have been reported.

Health experts warned that tingling, weakness of hand-grip, or foot drop could signal Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as the reported cases continue to rise in Pune, Maharashtra.

All you should know about GBS

Common symptoms of GBS include sudden weakness or paralysis in the hands or legs, trouble walking, and prolonged diarrhea. Authorities have increased surveillance in affected areas.

To prevent further infections, citizens are advised to ensure good water quality by drinking boiled water, eating fresh and clean food, and avoiding the mixing of cooked and uncooked items.

GBS is a rare condition that causes sudden numbness and muscle weakness, often triggered by bacterial or viral infections that weaken the immune system. While it is prevalent in both pediatric and young age groups, doctors assure that GBS will not lead to an epidemic or pandemic, and most patients will recover fully with treatment.

GBS symptoms according to WHO:

– Weakness or tingling sensations. They usually start in the legs and can spread to the arms and face.

– For some, these symptoms can lead to paralysis of the legs, arms or muscles in the face. In approximately one-third of people, the chest muscles are affected, making it hard to breathe.

– The ability to speak and swallow may become affected in severe cases considered life-threatening, and affected individuals should be treated in intensive care units.