Death of 10-year old in Srikakulam sparks fears over GBS
GBS, also known as classic or ascending paralysis, begins in the lower limbs and is technically called Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (AIDP)
Visakhapatnam: Ten-year-old boy, Vatada Yutha, from Srikakulam district has passed away due to the Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). The news caused panic on social media amid false claims that it is a contagious virus.
The deceased was Vatada Yuvatha from Kapu Godayavalasa village in Santhabommali mandal. He was declared brain-dead on Monday.
The boy suffered throat pain and fever, prompting his parents, Chiranjeevi and Roja, to seek treatment at private hospitals in Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam. But, he could not be saved.
The district’s chief health supervisor (DCHS) Kalyan Babu of Srikakulam told Deccan Chronicle on Thursday that GBS was not a new condition and there was no reason for panic. "This is not a virus but an autoimmune disease known for a long time," he stated.
GBS, also known as classic or ascending paralysis, begins in the lower limbs and is technically called Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (AIDP). It's an extremely rare condition, affecting only one or two people per a population of two lakh. The condition can develop after childbirth, vaccination or surgery, he added.
According to the DCHS, neurologists are well-versed in treating GBS through IV immunoglobulin or plasma exchange. He clarified that the current door-to-door campaign in the district was unrelated to GBS. Rather, it's part of a Supreme Court-mandated DLSA survey to identify children with disabilities aged 0-18 years.
Regarding the boy’s death, he said, “He was admitted to the hospital on January 31 and sent between Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam for treatment. Instead of focusing on the boy's noble act of organ donation, unnecessary panic was created about the condition.”
"GBS is not contagious or epidemic-like. You can safely be in the same room as someone with GBS without any risk. The medical community is well-aware of this condition, and neurologists know how to treat it effectively,” he stated.
The DMHO said medical camps have been organised across the district to monitor similar cases. However, no fresh case of Guillain-Barré Syndrome has been identified so far.
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