Lok Sabha Question No. 3508 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-21
Subject: Spread of GBS
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Anita Subhadarshini

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3508 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2025

## SPREAD OFGBS

## 3508. SMT. ANITA SUBHADARSHINI:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether there is an increase in the number of patients affected by Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) in the country in recent months;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
- (c) whether the Government has constituted any expert committee to find out the cause of spread of GBS and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has formulated any roadmap to check the spread of GBS in future; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE

## (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) & (b): As on 12 th March, 2025, a total of 229 cases (suspected and confirmed) of GuillainBarre-Syndrome (GBS) have been reported in the country only from Maharashtra State. The incidence of GBS shows that the cases have been in declining trend in recent months.

(c) to (e): Central technical team was deployed on 24/01/2025 comprising experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) and National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune on site to study the pathogens and outbreak. Majority of cases have been reported from specific clusters in Pune, with additional cases in Nanded. The study was focused on identifying the exact source of the outbreak, with a thorough examination of water supply systems, sources of water, and other relevant factors. The investigation indicated that the most likely precursor of GBS in this population group is prior infections caused by Campylobacter.

To check and monitor the future spread of the disease surveillance mechanism has been established under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP)/Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal, which captures suspected cases. Steps taken by the Government to prevent the spread of GBS is given in Annexure.

## Annexure-I

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d) & (e) OFTHE LOK SABHAUNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3508 REGARDING " SPREAD OF GBS'

Steps taken by the Government to prevent the spread of GBS;

-  Strengthening sanitation and hygiene measures.
-  Efforts are made to ensure an uninterrupted supply of treated and clean water.
-  Water sources are examined for leaks and damages, and corrective measures are taken.
-  Nodal officer have been appointed in private hospitals and chlorination have been done in wells.
-  Tankers of clean water have been arranged.
-  Have conducted massive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns to raise awareness at the community level,
-  Designated isolation wards set-up in government hospitals and special packages under PM-JAY scheme have been included for treatment of GBS.
-  Have expanded testing for suspected cases and collaborated with local authorities to contain the spread.