Pune, Maharashtra, is witnessing a concerning rise in Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases, with 111 patients diagnosed so far. Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar confirmed on Monday that 17 patients are currently on ventilators due to the severity of the condition. In response to the growing number of cases, the Pune Municipal Corporation has established a 45-bed special ward at the Kamala Nehru hospital, a municipal-run facility, to provide treatment to those affected. Unfortunately, one death has been reported.

Minister Abitkar assured the public that the Pune Municipal Corporation, alongside the Maharashtra Health Department, is actively working to manage the situation and prevent further spread of the syndrome. He mentioned that an expert team of doctors would soon be consulted for further guidance on GBS management.

The minister also addressed concerns about the water supply potentially being linked to the outbreak. However, he clarified that no inspection of the water source has been conducted yet, though investigations are ongoing with input from health experts.

In a move to support affected individuals, the Pune Municipal Corporation has announced that treatment for GBS patients at the civic hospital will be provided free of charge. Additionally, a team from the World Health Organization (WHO), along with PMC Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale, visited Nanded village in Haveli tehsil for further investigation.

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