Mumbai has reported its first death due to Guillain-Barré syndrome. According to a press release from the Public Health Department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, a 53-year-old man succumbed to the disease on the 11th of February.
The release further states that he was admitted to Nair Hospital on the 23rd of January after experiencing weakness in his legs. He was later shifted to the ICU due to his critical condition and put on a ventilator. It was confirmed that the patient was suffering from Guillain-Barré syndrome, and treatment was administered accordingly. The patient passed away on the 11th of February.
The release mentions that the patient did not have any symptoms of fever or diarrhoea prior to this and had a history of high blood pressure. He had also travelled to Pune 16 days prior to being admitted to Nair Hospital.
According to the release, another 16-year-old patient is currently undergoing treatment for Guillain-Barré syndrome at Nair Hospital. The BMC has added that all government hospitals and medical colleges are well-equipped to treat patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome.
All necessary treatments, equipment, and skilled human resources are available at these institutions, added the BMC. Meanwhile, The number of suspected and confirmed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) cases in the Pune region has reached 197 after five new patients of GBS were reported on Tuesday (yesterday).
According to authorities, out of the 197 cases, 172 have been diagnosed with GBS. At least 40 patients are from Pune Municipal Corporation area.
While 104 patients have been discharged, 50 are in ICU and 20 on ventilator support. The number of deaths suspected to have been caused by GBS in the region is seven. GBS is a rare condition in which a person’s immune system attacks the peripheral nerves, resulting in muscle weakness, loss of sensation in the legs and/or arms, as well as problems in swallowing or breathing.