New Delhi: In the wake of a surge in Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) cases in Pune, residents are expressing rising concern that the metropolis’s water provide could also be contaminated. This worry has been amplified by the discovery of a waterborne micro organism, Campylobacter jejuni, which has been linked to the outbreak.
One household’s expertise sheds mild on how grave are the considerations surrounding GBS outbreak in the metropolis.
The Chavan household’s ordeal started in early January when seven-yr-previous Sai Chavan, who had been affected by diarrhoea, all of the sudden collapsed on January 12.
His mother and father, Noor Jahan and Suraj, rushed him to a hospital the place medical doctors had been stumped by his signs. After additional exams, specialists at a non-public hospital in Pune recognized Sai with GBS, a rare and severe neurological dysfunction. His situation worsened, and he now struggles to stroll.
By early February, the Chavans’ neighbourhood of Nanded Gaon turned a focus for the outbreak, which has since unfold to close by areas similar to Kirkatwadi, Sinhagad Highway, and Khadakwasla.
These areas, which had been solely not too long ago integrated into the Pune Municipal Company (PMC), have reported almost 90 cases. In accordance with well being authorities, over 180 folks have been affected, and 6 have tragically misplaced their lives.
The invention of ‘Campylobacter jejuni’
On February 4, after weeks of investigation, well being officers confirmed that Campylobacter jejuni, a micro organism generally related to foodborne diseases, had infiltrated the water provide. The micro organism is believed to have been the major trigger of the GBS outbreak, additional fuelling fears about the security of the metropolis’s water.
The Chavans, residing in an space the place water is equipped by way of a municipal faucet connection for simply an hour every day, now really feel regretful. “We must always by no means have trusted the company’s water, it was our mistake,” mentioned Noor, standing beside her son, who struggles to regain his power.
The water of their space comes from a close by properly, which is just chlorinated, not like the relaxation of Pune’s water that undergoes a extra in depth purification course of at a therapy plant.
The scenario has left different residents anxious as properly.
As cases rise, residents specific their considerations
Vikas Joshi, a resident of DSK Vishwa, whose brother is presently on oxygen help with GBS signs, expressed his frustration: “There isn’t a level in having a water filter right here at residence as a result of the provide itself is so contaminated. We purchase massive cans, boil the water, after which drink it.”
Residents throughout close by localities similar to Kirkatwadi, Nandoshi, Dhayari, Sinhagad Highway, and DSK Vishwa face related challenges.
Healthcare professionals in the space are seeing a dramatic enhance in sufferers with gastrointestinal points. Dr. Santosh Rawale, a native physician practising in Dhayari, mentioned, “I now get 20 folks every single day with abdomen flu or different infections, asking me if it is GBS.”
The widespread cases of upset stomachs previous to the outbreak have left many questioning whether or not the water provide is guilty.
As the quantity of GBS cases continues to rise, the name for quick motion is rising louder. The Pune Municipal Company and well being authorities are underneath stress to analyze the water contamination extra completely and be certain that such an outbreak doesn’t occur once more.
For now, residents like the Chavans are left grappling with the penalties of an unsafe water provide and a rising worry of the unknown.
(With inputs from ToI)
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