Team Herald
PANJIM: Goa Medical College (GMC) Dean Prof Dr Shivanand Bandekar has reassured the public that Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is not a significant health threat in Goa yet, urging people not to panic.
“GBS is endemic in Pune, but the situation in Goa is not alarming,” Dr Bandekar stated. He explained that GBS patients typically present with symptoms such as diarrhea , followed by weakness beginning in the lower limbs and progressing to the abdomen, diaphragm, breathing muscles, and upper limbs. Respiratory paralysis is the most critical complication, requiring close monitoring and, in severe cases, ICU ventilator support.
Dr Bandekar clarified that GBS is a viral infection, sometimes referred to as ‘adult polio’, and emphasised the importance of maintaining good personal hygiene to prevent the condition, especially in endemic regions. “Wash hands before eating and maintain proper hygiene. While there is no vaccine for GBS, basic hygiene can help reduce the risk,”
he advised.
GMC sees around one to two sporadic cases of GBS each month, with no clusters emerging from specific areas of the State. “We are equipped with plasmapheresis, a cutting-edge treatment method introduced during Covid-19, to filter out the virus. It has been an effective tool in treating GBS patients,” he added.
Dr Bandekar reiterated that while GBS remains a concern in areas like Pune, there is no cause for alarm in Goa.