Visakhapatnam: The emerging cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in Andhra Pradesh are quite perplexing, as they are not confined to any specific geographical area. For example, in Pune, the cases are concentrated in particular areas where water contamination has been preliminarily confirmed as the cause of the spike.
However, in AP, the situation is different, with almost all districts reporting one or two cases, spanning from Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Kakinada, and Konaseema to Kurnool, Guntur, and Prakasam. The health dept is conducting surveillance around the homes and villages of affected patients.
However, no clusters that could explain these cases have been identified.
Although Guntur govt hospital treated nearly 110 of the 301 GBS cases reported in the state in 2024, these patients came from various neighbouring districts.
The 301 cases were treated across multiple healthcare facilities in different regions, ranging from govt hospitals in Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam to Nellore and Kurnool, with no apparent connection between them.
While the exact cause of GBS is not always clear, it is typically linked to bacterial and viral infections. A Campylobacter jejuni-related bacterial infection, often associated with gastroenteritis (diarrhoea), is one of the most common triggers of GBS worldwide.
Certain vaccinations and surgeries, though rare, have been associated with the onset of GBS.
TOI reported about a week ago about the spike in diarrhoea and food poisoning cases in AP in 2024. Almost all districts have been affected by spells of diarrhoea and food poisoning, with cases reported from various regions. For example, in Vizianagaram district’s Gurla alone, hundreds of patients suffered from a diarrhoea outbreak in Oct 2024.
The pathogenetic sequence of GBS involves an immune response to this preceding infection, which triggers post-infectious inflammation through molecular mimicry, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves.
AP, on average, reports about 250 to 300 GBS cases per year. The state has so far reported about 50 cases in 2025. Experts suggest that one to two cases per one lakh population per year should be considered normal, meaning fewer than 1,000 cases annually in AP could be considered typical.
Special chief secretary (health), MT Krishna Babu, said if a higher number of GBS cases are reported from a particular area, health department officials can identify the cause and isolate the affected cases.
“However, as of now, such a situation does not exist in AP. Each admitted case of GBS is thoroughly examined to determine its origin and the cause of the infection. Surveillance is also conducted for every case to identify if there are any similar cases in nearby households or villages,” said Krishna Babu.
In GBS, muscle weakness and paralysis begin at the lower extremities (legs) and move upwards, often affecting the arms, torso, and in some severe cases, the respiratory muscles.
However, in AP, the situation is different, with almost all districts reporting one or two cases, spanning from Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Kakinada, and Konaseema to Kurnool, Guntur, and Prakasam. The health dept is conducting surveillance around the homes and villages of affected patients.
However, no clusters that could explain these cases have been identified.
Although Guntur govt hospital treated nearly 110 of the 301 GBS cases reported in the state in 2024, these patients came from various neighbouring districts.
The 301 cases were treated across multiple healthcare facilities in different regions, ranging from govt hospitals in Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam to Nellore and Kurnool, with no apparent connection between them.
While the exact cause of GBS is not always clear, it is typically linked to bacterial and viral infections. A Campylobacter jejuni-related bacterial infection, often associated with gastroenteritis (diarrhoea), is one of the most common triggers of GBS worldwide.
Certain vaccinations and surgeries, though rare, have been associated with the onset of GBS.
TOI reported about a week ago about the spike in diarrhoea and food poisoning cases in AP in 2024. Almost all districts have been affected by spells of diarrhoea and food poisoning, with cases reported from various regions. For example, in Vizianagaram district’s Gurla alone, hundreds of patients suffered from a diarrhoea outbreak in Oct 2024.
The pathogenetic sequence of GBS involves an immune response to this preceding infection, which triggers post-infectious inflammation through molecular mimicry, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves.
AP, on average, reports about 250 to 300 GBS cases per year. The state has so far reported about 50 cases in 2025. Experts suggest that one to two cases per one lakh population per year should be considered normal, meaning fewer than 1,000 cases annually in AP could be considered typical.
Special chief secretary (health), MT Krishna Babu, said if a higher number of GBS cases are reported from a particular area, health department officials can identify the cause and isolate the affected cases.
“However, as of now, such a situation does not exist in AP. Each admitted case of GBS is thoroughly examined to determine its origin and the cause of the infection. Surveillance is also conducted for every case to identify if there are any similar cases in nearby households or villages,” said Krishna Babu.
In GBS, muscle weakness and paralysis begin at the lower extremities (legs) and move upwards, often affecting the arms, torso, and in some severe cases, the respiratory muscles.
