Guillain-Barré Syndrome is on rise in many parts of the world. It is a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the peripheral nerves. Although GBS was first reported in the 1916, currently it has caused a massive outbreak especially in the major cities of India. The cause behind this rare condition is unknown but it is said that it often occurs after a person is diagnosed with an illness be it a viral or bacterial infection. According to reports, almost 70% of people who have had GBS, their symptoms have began within one week or somewhere between six weeks of an illness.
Although doctors are yet finding the true cause of this disease, a few questions that have arisen in the minds of people are whether could contaminated food and water be the cause of it? What are its symptoms? What treatments and precautions to doctors suggest? There are many questions that rise in the minds after seeing the spike in numbers and recent death rates especially in India. Thus, we have given a brief overview about what Guillain-Barré syndrome is, its symptoms, causes and what Indian doctors have to say about this rare condition.
What Is Guillain-Barré Syndrome?
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare neurological disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nervous system. This can lead to muscle weakness, numbness, and even paralysis in severe cases. The exact cause is unknown, but it often occurs after a viral or bacterial infection. Health officials are investigating the possible cause, with some links suspected to Campylobacter jejuni infections. It is said that it often follows an infection, such as a viral or bacterial illness.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome Cases In India
In recent months, Maharashtra, particularly Pune, has experienced a significant increase in GBS cases. Whereas, Andhra Pradesh reported 267 Guillain-Barré Syndrome cases, with 141 in the first half and 126 in the latter half of the year. In 2025, 17 new GBS cases have been reported, with two fatalities in Andhra Pradesh. Whereas as of late January 2025, over 100 cases have been reported, with several patients requiring ventilator support. Health authorities have initiated investigations to determine the underlying cause of this surge. Preliminary findings suggest a possible link to bacterial infections, as some patients reported preceding diarrheal illness. Stool samples from a subset of patients tested positive for Campylobacter jejuni, a bacterium known to trigger GBS. In response to the outbreak, the Union Health Ministry has dispatched a multi-disciplinary team to assist local authorities in Pune. Efforts include active case detection, public awareness campaigns, and ensuring the availability of necessary medical treatments. Residents are advised to maintain proper hygiene, consume safe drinking water, and seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms associated with GBS.
Whereas Pune and Maharashtra, experienced a significant GBS outbreak. As of mid-February 2025, the city reported 207 cases, with over half linked to Campylobacter jejuni infections. Additionally, Mumbai identified its first GBS case in a 64-year-old woman in February 2025. These statistics highlight the recent rise in GBS cases in specific regions of India during 2024 and early 2025.
What are the symptoms of GBS?
It is said that Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) symptoms usually begin in between one or six weeks after a person is affected by a viral or infection. The symptoms typically start with a person complaining of weakness and tingling sensation in their legs. This can later spread to the upper region of the body. It is also stated that in worst case scenarios with people who have other medical conditions it could worsen, sometimes even leading to paralysis. Although with proper treatment and care one can recover from the syndrome.
Other symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome include muscle weakness and difficulty in walking and balancing oneself. People also face difficulty with eye or facial moments, including talking, chewing or swallowing food or water. Sometimes GBS symptoms can also lead to rapid heart rate which can lead to high or low blood pressure. As the immune system weakens people already suffering from any medical condition may face difficulty breathing or other respiratory issues sometimes leading to requiring a ventilator for support. It is suggested that people observe the signs and symptoms and ensure immediate medical attention especially if one suffers from breathing problems and severe weakness that spreads from the lower parts of the body to the upper parts.
Treatments, Healthcare Access And Precautions
According to recent warnings from doctors at AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) in India, people should be cautious about consuming contaminated food, particularly paneer, cheese, and rice, as they can be a major trigger for Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) due to potential bacterial infections like Campylobacter jejuni; they advise thorough cooking and proper hygiene when handling these foods to minimize the risk of GBS. Dr. Priyanka Sehrawat a neurologist, from AIIMS Delhi has warned people about the risk of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) from contaminated food. She explained that one major cause is gastroenteritis due to the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni. While there are other causes, she emphasized that this one is avoidable. She advised people to be careful with food and water, practice good hygiene, and avoid eating outside to lower the risk of infection and protect their immunity.
While there is no cure for Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), early treatment can help manage symptoms, speed up recovery, and reduce complications. Medical treatments include Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG), a first-line therapy that provides healthy antibodies to reduce the immune system’s attack on nerves. IVIG is most effective when administered within two weeks of symptom onset. Another treatment option is Plasmapheresis (Plasma Exchange), which removes harmful antibodies from the blood and replaces them with healthy plasma, helping to stop nerve damage progression. Supportive care is also crucial, including ventilator support for severe cases with respiratory failure, pain management through medications for nerve pain, and physical therapy to help patients regain muscle strength and mobility.
Although, healthcare access and challenges in India may present significant hurdles for GBS patients. Limited awareness and late diagnosis often result in delayed treatment, particularly in rural areas where general physicians may not recognize early symptoms. Availability of specialized treatment is another concern, as IVIG and plasmapheresis are expensive and not easily accessible in smaller hospitals. While metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, and Pune have better facilities, rural and semi-urban areas struggle with limited access to neurologists.
The high treatment costs and financial burden further add to the problem, with IVIG therapy costing ₹5–10 lakh per patient and limited insurance coverage for rare diseases like GBS, leading to out-of-pocket expenses for families. Additionally, shortages of critical care units such as ICUs with ventilators worsen the situation, especially in government hospitals that often face overcrowding. To improve healthcare access, possible solutions include strengthening primary healthcare by training rural doctors, expanding insurance coverage through schemes like Ayushman Bharat, establishing more neurology centers in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, and conducting public awareness campaigns to educate people about early symptoms and timely medical intervention.
Recovery rate in humans
It is stated that the recovery from Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) can take a long time, from a few months to several years. Symptoms usually get worse for about two weeks, stay the same for four weeks, and then slowly start to improve. Most people begin to recover within 6 to 12 months, but some may take up to three years. About 80% of adults can walk on their own after six months, and 60% regain full strength within a year, while 5% to 10% have a slow or incomplete recovery. GBS is rare in children, but when they do get it, they usually recover better than adults.
Although, GBS is a medical emergency, but early diagnosis and treatment improve outcomes. While rare, awareness is crucial, especially in India, where infections like dengue and viral outbreaks are common triggers. It is the duty of every individual to stay safe, protect themselves while in public, take precautionary measures and eat healthy. It is also important for individuals to understand the importance of avoiding outside food and eat healthy foods like pulses, proteins, fruits and vegetables along with home-cooked meals and not forgetting pure boiled water to build up a strong immunity and stay away from coming into contact with any disease or viruses.
