PUNE: Seven-year-old Sai Chavan had been battling a bout of diarrhea for days, but on January 12, his condition took a terrifying turn—he suddenly collapsed and was unable to move. His parents, Noor Jahan and Suraj Chavan, rushed him to the hospital, where doctors were initially baffled by his symptoms. It was only after being transferred to a private hospital in Pune that specialists diagnosed him with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS).
By early February, the Chavans’ neighborhood, Nanded Gaon, became the epicenter of a GBS outbreak. Nearly 90 cases were reported from the area and neighboring localities like Kirkatwadi, Sinhagad Road, and Khadakwasla—all recently merged with Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).
Contaminated Water Supply Identified as the Source
On February 4, health authorities identified the cause: the bacterium Campylobacter jejuni had entered the water supply, triggering a mass infection. So far, more than 180 people have fallen ill, and six have died.
For the Chavans, the crisis hit home. “We should never have trusted the corporation’s water—this was our mistake,” said Noor, watching her son struggle to stand. Suraj tried to help him walk, but Sai’s knees buckled—he was still in pain.
The family had been given a municipal tap connection after Nanded Gaon merged with PMC in 2021, but with a major issue: their daily one-hour water supply came from a nearby well, not a purification plant. The water was only chlorinated, unlike the fully treated supply in other parts of Pune. This same contaminated well also served Kirkatwadi, Nandoshi village, Dhayari, Sinhagad Road, and DSK Vishwa township.
Residents Fear for Their Health
Vikas Joshi, a resident of DSK Vishwa, whose brother is hospitalized with GBS symptoms, voiced his frustration:
“A water filter at home is useless when the supply itself is contaminated. We have no choice but to buy large water cans, boil the water, and then drink it.”
Dr. Santosh Rawale, a physician in Dhayari, confirmed the growing anxiety: “Every day, I see at least 20 patients with stomach flu or infections, all fearing they might have GBS. Many people had stomach issues long before the outbreak was identified.”
