Mumbai reports first Guillain-Barré Syndrome case in 2025; BMC on alert

After multiple cases of GuillainBarreacute Syndrome GBS were reported in Pune Mumbai has now recorded its first case in 2025mdasha 64yearold woman from Andheri WestDr Daksha Shah executive health officer BMC said ldquoGBS is an autoimmune disorder and the patient admitted at SevenHills Hospital is an isolated case Her case is unrelated to the Pune casesrdquoHealth officials said that while the exact cause of GBS remains unknown it is often triggered by viral or bacterial infections vaccinations surgery or autoimmune reactions Infections like flu EpsteinBarr virus cytomegalovirus and respiratory illnesses are known risk factors Though rare some cases have been linked to vaccinations or traumaShiv Sena Eknath Shinde faction MLA from Andheri East Murji Patel confirmed the case stating ldquoA 64yearold senior citizen from Andheri East was admitted to SevenHills Hospital three days ago On Thursday test results confirmed GBS She was previously hospitalised as well but her condition is now stable and doctors have started treatment There is no need to panic I have personally visited the hospital and there are 50 ICU beds available to accommodate GBS patients if needed If more cases emerge treatment will be provided under the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya YojanardquoAccording to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC officials the woman a resident of Malpa Dongri is currently undergoing treatment in the ICU at SevenHills Hospital ldquoThe patient had been suffering from diarrhoea and fever when her relatives rushed her to SevenHills Hospital on January 21 She had experienced high fever and loose stools two weeks ago followed by ascending paralysis within three days and difficulty walking for the past 15 days Plasma therapy has been initiated with four more cycles plannedrdquo said a hospital sourceMeanwhile the BMC has reviewed the situation and assured preparednessldquoAll government and private healthcare institutions in Mumbai have been instructed to report new GBS cases to the Public Health Departments Epidemic Cell However GBS cases are typically reported sporadically throughout the year As of today no additional cases have been detected in Mumbairdquo a senior BMC health official said As a precaution 60 ICU beds with ventilators have been allocated for children and adults across Mumbais five major medical college hospitals If needed an additional 100 ICU beds with ventilators will be arranged at SevenHills HospitalldquoAll necessary medicines equipment and trained personnel are available across BMC hospitals and medical colleges for GBS treatmentrdquo officials addedDoctorSpeakWhen asked if BMC will check for other cases in the area where the Mumbai patient lives Dr Shah said ldquoThere are no guidelines as such but we will see if there are any other cases from the patientrsquos areardquoBMC has also appealed to people to approach the nearest civic hospital if experiencing symptoms related to GBS BMC also suggested some precautions like drinking only boiled water eating fresh and clean food maintaining personal hygiene and avoiding mixing cooked and uncooked food to prevent infection If experiencing sudden and increasing weakness in the hands or legs visit the nearest BMC hospital immediatelyNot contagious say doctorsGBS itself is not contagious but can develop following infections that may be People recovering from viral or bacterial infections those with autoimmune conditions and individuals who have recently undergone surgery or vaccination though rare may be at higher risk Early detection and treatment can help speed up recovery and prevent complications While there is no cure for GBS medical interventions can manage symptoms and improve outcomes for affected individuals The health officials of a private hospital said that it would take a few weeks for patients to recoverMedical practitioners said physiotherapy is crucial in the recovery process of GBS patients ldquoRegular physiotherapy will help patients achieve normalcy in the movement of hands and legsrdquo a doctor said Some patients require a long duration or others may require very few days It dependsInputs by Archana DahiwalJan 21Day woman was admitted to hospitalTests for GBSSpinal tap A small amount of fluid is withdrawn from the spinal column to check for elevated protein levels a common finding in GBSNerve conduction studies Electrodes are placed on the skin over nerves to measure the speed at which electrical signals travel along the nerves and if positive is diagnostic of GBSBlood tests May be done to rule out other conditions with similar symptomsOther considerationsPhysical examination A doctor will perform a thorough neurological exam to assess muscle weakness reflexes and sensory changesInputs from Dr Deepali Ambike head of paediatrics dept YCM Hospital Pune