By Krishika Dinesh Rathod
Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, has asked the public to take measures following an increase in Pune’s Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) cases. While there is no documented relationship between uncooked chicken and the outbreak, health officials recommend practicing good food hygiene to reduce risks. The GBS outbreak has resulted in 181 recorded cases, eight deaths, and intensified monitoring by the Maharashtra Health Department.
Pawar addressed public worries about a possible relationship between GBS and chicken intake while speaking at the 75th anniversary celebration of the Pune Municipal Corporation. While there is no formal evidence that poultry was the cause, he encouraged consumers to ensure that chicken is completely cooked to remove any potential health hazards.
The Maharashtra Health Department has declared 181 confirmed cases of GBS, with eight fatalities so far. 120 have been discharged, while 47 remain in intensive care. The state administration has been carefully monitoring the situation, and health officials are undertaking more investigations to determine the root cause of the outbreak.
Despite widespread public concern, Pawar emphasised that there is no need to cull poultry. Following conversations with the Divisional Commissioner and health officials, he determined that there is no clear link between the disease and chicken intake. However, he recommended the people to practice good food hygiene, such as cooking meat at high temperatures.
No need to cull poultry.
“A GBS outbreak was recently observed near the Khadakwasla dam in Pune. While some attributed it to water contamination, others said it was caused by chicken intake. “After a thorough review, it was determined that there is no need to cull poultry,” Pawar stated. He recommended people to ensure that their food, particularly chicken, is well-cooked to avoid health concerns.
More on GBS.
Meanwhile, one additional case was reported on Saturday, bringing the total number of suspected and confirmed GBS infections in the state to 208, according to health officials. GBS is an uncommon disorder in which a person’s immune system assaults their peripheral nerves, causing muscle weakness, loss of sensation in the limbs, and difficulty swallowing or breathing. The actual cause of GBS is unknown, however it usually follows a bacterial or viral infection, such as food poisoning, lung infections, or gastrointestinal diseases.