Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, has urged citizens to take necessary precautions following a rise in cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) in Pune. While the exact cause of the outbreak remains unclear, health officials emphasize the importance of maintaining proper food hygiene, especially when handling and cooking meat, although no direct link has been established between undercooked chicken and the GBS cases.
The outbreak has seen 181 confirmed cases of GBS, with eight resulting in fatalities. As a result, the Maharashtra Health Department is intensifying monitoring and conducting further investigations into the potential causes of the illness.
During his address at the Pune Municipal Corporation's 75th anniversary event, Pawar reassured the public amid concerns of a connection between GBS and chicken consumption. He highlighted that there is no evidence linking the two and emphasized the importance of cooking meat thoroughly at high temperatures. There is also no need for drastic measures, such as the culling of poultry, as no direct association between the disease and chicken has been found.
Currently, 120 individuals affected by the illness have been discharged, while 47 remain in intensive care. The state government continues to closely track the situation to safeguard public health.