A man in Maharashtra’s Solapur district, suspected of contracting Landry Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), has died, marking what is believed to be the first fatality in the state linked to the rare neurological disorder. Meanwhile, the number of GBS cases in Pune has surpassed 100, with the majority of cases concentrated in areas around Nanded village on Sinhgad Road.

State Health Minister Prakash Abitkar revealed on Monday that 80 percent of the suspected GBS cases in Pune have been reported from these specific areas, raising concerns about possible water contamination. He assured that local authorities are investigating the issue to determine any potential link between the outbreak and water quality.

The rise in cases and the death have prompted the central government to deploy a seven-member team of experts to assist Maharashtra in managing the growing number of GBS cases. Additionally, the state government has formed a rapid response team to investigate the sudden spike.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder that attacks the peripheral nervous system, which controls motor and sensory functions. It is characterized by sudden muscle weakness and paralysis, which can worsen rapidly and lead to serious complications if not treated promptly. GBS occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly targets healthy nerve tissue, causing varying degrees of nerve damage.

The disorder, named after French neurologists Georges Guillain and Jean Alexandre Barré who first identified it in 1916, can affect individuals of any age, though it is more common among adults, particularly the elderly.