Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in India: Rising Cases, Symptoms & Treatment
In recent months, India has witnessed a concerning rise in cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare but serious neurological disorder where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves, if left untreated or in severe cases that may lead to paralysis. More than 211 cases have been reported across the country in the last two months, with some states showing higher rates. While GBS has raised concerns due to its severity. In the twin states, over 20 cases have been reported.
Mumbai reported its first GBS case on February 7, 2025. A 64-year-old woman from Andheri East was diagnosed after experiencing fever, diarrhea, and ascending paralysis. This comes after a spike in cases in neighboring Pune, which has become the outbreak’s epicenter in Maharashtra. As of January 28, 2025, Pune has reported 111 confirmed cases, including the first fatality, a 41-year-old chartered accountant.
Telangana’s first GBS case occurred on January 31, 2025, involving a 25-year-old woman from Siddipet. She had no history of travel to Pune and was initially treated elsewhere before being transferred to KIMS Hospital. She passed away on February 9, 2025, in Hyderabad.
In Andhra Pradesh, a 45-year-old woman, Kamalamma, died on February 16 at Government General Hospital in Guntur. A 10-year-old boy also passed away in Srikakulam about 10 days ago. The state has reported 17 GBS cases so far.
As of February 18, 2025, Maharashtra’s death toll from suspected GBS has reached 11. This includes 4 confirmed GBS deaths and 7 suspected cases. In Pune, two patients have died: a 27-year-old woman from Nandedgaon, diagnosed with GBS, and a 37-year-old man from Daund, who passed away at Sassoon General Hospital with suspected GBS.
The cost of treating GBS patients is very high, ranging from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. IVIG treatment alone can cost between Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 3 lakh per patient, with vials priced at Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 each. About 25% of patients require ventilator support, and most need long-term physiotherapy for several months.
Also Read: Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A Rare But Serious Condition Expert Advice from Dr. Chetan Reddy
The plenty of information flooding our screens everyday which can lead to misinformation and lot of confusion over this. Therefore, here is what we know so far.
What Is GBS?
GBS is a rare neurological disorder where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves. It’s often triggered by an infection, such as a viral or bacterial illness, and it can lead to muscle weakness, paralysis, and in severe cases, respiratory failure. GBS begins suddenly and can increase in intensity over a period of hours, days, or weeks until certain muscles cannot be used at all. Some cases of GBS are very mild and only marked by brief weakness.
There have been sporadic reports of GBS cases in India, especially after certain viral infections like Zika virus, COVID-19, and the flu. However, in recent times, there have been concerns about an uptick in cases, leading to investigations.
Symptoms:
Weakness in the legs and arms
Difficulty breathing or swallowing (in severe cases)
Numbness or tingling sensations in the extremities
Progressive muscle weakness
Also Read: Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A Rare But Serious Condition Expert Advice from Dr. Chetan Reddy
Causes:
Viral Infections: As mentioned, viruses like cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, Zika virus have been linked to triggering GBS in some individuals.
Bacterial Infections: Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni), which causes food poisoning,, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae are most common bacterial triggers of GBS.
Treatment and Recovery:
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is multi-faceted and can vary from person to person based on the severity of the condition. The primary goal of treatment is to halt the progression of the disease and manage symptoms effectively. The most established treatments for GBS include Plasma Exchange (PE) and Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg). Both treatments have been proven effective in improving patient outcomes. However, research on the optimal dosage and treatment duration for these therapies remains limited. In addition to these treatments, patients may require high doses of intravenous antibiotics to manage any underlying infections. High doses of intravenous antibiotics should be administered as soon as possible, and therapy should not be stopped early. Typically, intravenous antibiotics are given for at least 7 to 14 days, depending on complications such as meningitis. These combined approaches aim to stabilize patients and support their recovery as much as possible.
