Pune GBS spurt puts focus on how food-borne bugs can thrive due to climate change

In mid-February, parts of India witnessed a second spurt this year in cases of Guillane-Barré syndrome, a nerve condition causing nerve pain and sometimes paralysis, along with difficulties in breathing and swallowing. This outbreak was first reported at the end of January in Maharashtra and later in Andhra Pradesh in February and is suspected to be caused by a stomach bug.

Maharashtra has reported over 211 cases and 11 deaths as of February 19, according to news reports. Meanwhile, media has also reported 17 cases and two deaths from Andhra Pradesh since mid-February.

The World Health Organization says that while the exact cause of Guillane-Barré syndrome, or GBS, is not known, most cases follow a viral or bacterial infection. One of the most common risk factors is infection with the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni, which causes gastroenteritis. The immune systems go into an over-drive, attacking the body’s peripheral nerves.

In the current outbreak too, Campylobacter jejuni, is suspected to be the most likely cause, says Siara Rao Ajjampur, professor of microbiology at the Christian Medical College, Vellore.

Climate and food bugs

Seasonal spikes in GBS cases have been known to occur, with an increase in the number of cases during winter, according to Monojit Debnath, professor of genetics at the National Institute for Mental Health and...

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