Amid GBS Outbreak, 138 Water Samples Found Contaminated in Pune
Pune : Amid the alarming outbreak of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in the Sinhagad Road area, the Municipal Corporation has intensified its water testing efforts to curb potential contamination. Authorities have been conducting rigorous testing of water sources, with a staggering 7,195 samples analysed so far. Shockingly, 138 of these samples have been deemed unfit for consumption, raising serious concerns over the city’s water quality. In response, the Health Department has issued a stern warning and directed the Water Supply Department to ensure the delivery of clean water to the affected areas.
With the rise in cases of GBS and diarrhoea across Pune, the administration is carefully tracing the drinking water sources of infected individuals. Once identified, these water samples are immediately sent for testing at the Municipal Corporation’s Parvati Water Purification Centre and the State Public Health Laboratory. The latest test results confirm the presence of contaminated water in multiple locations, including Khadakwasla Dam, private wells, reverse osmosis (RO) plants, and tanker-supplied water.
Following these revelations, the Health Department has been actively alerting the Water Supply Department to take urgent corrective measures. Officials have found the presence of E. coli and coliform bacteria in the contaminated water, which significantly increases the risk of waterborne diseases. Stressing the gravity of the situation, Dr. Nina Borade, Health Chief of the Municipal Corporation, emphasised the critical need to ensure a clean and safe water supply to prevent further outbreaks of the GBS.
The state’s GBS outbreak continues to grow, with a total of 224 cases recorded so far. Among them, 195 patients have been officially diagnosed with the condition. Pune remains the worst-hit district, with 46 cases under the Pune Municipal Corporation, 95 in newly incorporated municipal villages, 33 in Pimpri-Chinchwad, and 36 patients found in Pune rural.
Beyond Pune, 14 cases have been reported in other districts of Maharashtra. The severity of the outbreak is evident, with 26 patients currently admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) and 15 on ventilator support. While 178 patients have recovered and been discharged, 11 patients have died so far, according to the Health Department’s latest report.
