GBS outbreak in India blamed on inadequate food hygiene

The increase in cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) in Maharashtra has been attributed to inadequate food hygiene, according to the deputy head of the Ministry, Ajit Pawar. He has urged the public to take strict precautions to avoid infection with Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni), which is considered the primary trigger for the GBS epidemic in Pune. The Indian Express has reported that over half of the 207 cases of GBS diagnosed in Pune originate from the surrounding areas on the outskirts of Sinhagad Road, where 25 samples of faeces tested in the cluster were positive for C. jejuni and 11 for Norovirus. Furthermore, coliform bacteria, E. coli, Norovirus, and C. jejuni have been identified in 40 water samples collected from the same area. The investigation also revealed that 90 out of 106 patients primarily relied on a specific well in Nanded village and the Khadakwasla dam; 85 samples from diverse water sources showed signs of contamination. Given the absence of a direct correlation between the consumption of chicken meat and the onset of the disease, as determined through discussions with health authorities, Ajit Pawar concluded that poultry slaughter was not a prerequisite. To minimise the probability of contracting virulent bacteria, it is sufficient to observe hygienic measures such as regular hand cleaning, the disinfection of work surfaces, and the proper cooking of food.