New Delhi: In the wake of a surge in Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) cases in Pune, residents are expressing growing concern that the city’s water supply may be contaminated. This fear has been amplified by the discovery of a waterborne bacteria, Campylobacter jejuni, which has been linked to the outbreak.
One family’s experience sheds light on how grave are the concerns surrounding GBS outbreak in the city.
The Chavan family’s ordeal began in early January when seven-year-old Sai Chavan, who had been suffering from diarrhoea, suddenly collapsed on January 12.
His parents, Noor Jahan and Suraj, rushed him to a hospital where doctors were stumped by his symptoms. After further tests, specialists at a private hospital in Pune diagnosed Sai with GBS, a rare and serious neurological disorder. His condition worsened, and he now struggles to walk.
By early February, the Chavans’ neighbourhood of Nanded Gaon became a focal point for the outbreak, which has since spread to nearby areas such as Kirkatwadi, Sinhagad Road, and Khadakwasla.
These areas, which were only recently incorporated into the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), have reported nearly 90 cases. According to health authorities, over 180 people have been affected, and six have tragically lost their lives.
The discovery of ‘Campylobacter jejuni’
On February 4, after weeks of investigation, health officials confirmed that Campylobacter jejuni, a bacteria commonly associated with foodborne illnesses, had infiltrated the water supply. The bacteria is believed to have been the primary cause of the GBS outbreak, further fuelling fears about the safety of the city’s water.
The Chavans, living in an area where water is supplied via a municipal tap connection for just an hour each day, now feel regretful. “We should never have trusted the corporation’s water, it was our mistake,” said Noor, standing beside her son, who struggles to regain his strength.
The water in their area comes from a nearby well, which is only chlorinated, unlike the rest of Pune’s water that undergoes a more extensive purification process at a treatment plant.
The situation has left other residents worried as well.
As cases rise, residents express their concerns
Vikas Joshi, a resident of DSK Vishwa, whose brother is currently on oxygen support with GBS symptoms, expressed his frustration: “There is no point in having a water filter here at home because the supply itself is so contaminated. We buy large cans, boil the water, and then drink it.”
Residents across nearby localities such as Kirkatwadi, Nandoshi, Dhayari, Sinhagad Road, and DSK Vishwa face similar challenges.
Healthcare professionals in the area are seeing a dramatic increase in patients with gastrointestinal issues. Dr. Santosh Rawale, a local doctor practicing in Dhayari, said, “I now get 20 people every day with stomach flu or other infections, asking me if it’s GBS.”
The widespread cases of upset stomachs prior to the outbreak have left many questioning whether the water supply is to blame.
As the number of GBS cases continues to rise, the call for immediate action is growing louder. The Pune Municipal Corporation and health authorities are under pressure to investigate the water contamination more thoroughly and ensure that such an outbreak does not happen again.
For now, residents like the Chavans are left grappling with the consequences of an unsafe water supply and a growing fear of the unknown.
(With inputs from ToI)
