As per Maharashtra State Health Laboratory, water from 79 locations in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Khadakwasla is unfit for drinking. Following a recent outbreak of the Guillian Barre Syndrome (GBS), the lab tested samples from the region and came to the conclusion that water quality was unsafe for drinking. Vinod Phale, deputy director of the state Health Laboratory reportedly said that the samples were taken from GBS-affected areas and it was found that "many samples tested positive for E coli and coliform bacteria," thereby rendering the water unsafe for drinking purposes.
In the month of February, Pune Municipal Corporation and surrounding districts reported a large number of GBS cases leading to hospitalization and ventilator support, including at least five deaths, which prompted the authorities to take action and test the water quality in the region. Among the casualties was a 60-year-old resident of Nanded district, that is about 500 km from Pune, who had reportedly been diagnosed with hypertension and diarrhoea. The hospital listed the cause of death as respiratory failure with autonomic dysfunction and quadriplegia, complications arising from GBS, along with hypertension.
GBS, is a rare, autoimmune, neurological disorder where the immune system attacks nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and paralysis. It begins with tingling or numbness in the feet and hands, followed by muscle weakness and difficulty moving joints. Over a period of three to four weeks, symptoms worsen, typically starting in the arms and legs and eventually leading to complete paralysis if not treated in time. The condition is rare, with an estimated incidence of 1/2 per 100,000 population.
As per sources, the Health department collected 312 water samples from affected areas for chemical and biological analysis of which 79 samples were found to be contaminated, which means 25% of the samples were found to be unfit for consumption. The sources from where the samples were collected and which have been deemed unfit for consumption include well water from various locations in Khadakwasla, untreated water from Khadakwasla dam, borewell water from Dhayari, Talwade, Tathawade, tap water in Kalewadi, Wakad, Moshi, Thergaon.
Water samples from these areas were tested between January 21 and March 13, as per Laboratory officials. PCMC (Pune Chinchwad Municipal Corporation) officials though, refuted the test results saying that in the water tests which the PCMC conducts daily, not a single sample has been found to be unfit for drinking purposes. The Corporation officials reportedly attributed the results of tests carried out by the State Health Lab to "water collected from stored sources in households which may not reflect the actual water quality."
However, doctor and activist Padma Shri Himmatrao Bawaskar told THE WEEK, "water quality has always been an issue for residents of PCMC area and its adjoining areas. People know that they won't be getting drinkable quality tap water in their homes and that is why we are all so used to boiling water before consuming it. The authorities have turned a blind eye to this issue and that is why every year cases of GBS are reported from this region. Yet, the authorities continue to turn a blind eye and play the blame game."
GBS, as per scientists, is most likely caused by a pathogenic bacteria called Campylobacter jejuni. It is known to be the biggest driver of GBS worldwide and is often found in undercooked poultry, meat or eggs, unwashed vegetables and faeces.
