Pune: In response to the recent detection of 15 suspected cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) in the city, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has announced free diagnostic testing at two of its major hospitals.

Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital (YCMH) and the newly established Thergaon Hospital will provide free Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) tests to help diagnose the condition. Additionally, a dedicated helpline will be launched to provide information and assistance to the public.

The suspected cases have been reported from Pimpri, Wakad, Bhosari, Pimple Gurav, Chikhali, and Talawade. In an effort to identify potential causes of the outbreak, health authorities have collected water samples from these areas and sent them to the Public Health Laboratory in Pune for analysis.

Additionally, officials will test chlorine levels in drinking water sources, including wells, borewells, and water tankers, to rule out contamination as a contributing factor.

As Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that requires specialized treatment, the PCMC has issued directives to private hospitals regarding patient admissions. Hospitals without immunoglobulin injections, a crucial component in the treatment of GBS, have been advised to refer patients to municipal hospitals instead of admitting them.

To monitor and contain the disease, door-to-door health surveys have been launched in the affected areas. The PCMC has mobilized 16 medical teams, with two teams assigned to each of the city’s eight hospital zones, to conduct household inspections and assess symptoms among residents.

"The number of cases remains stable at the moment, but we are actively monitoring the situation. Our health teams are conducting extensive surveys in the affected areas to detect any new cases early," said Dr. Laxman Gophane, Medical Health Officer, PCMC.