Two Gullian-Barré Syndrome Fatalities Reported in Madhya Pradesh’s Neemuch District

Indian health officials in western Madhya Pradesh recently implemented emergency measures in response to a localized outbreak of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare autoimmune neurological disorder.

As of January 18, 2026, The Hindu reports indicate that there are at least 14 to 18 cases of GBS (confirmed and suspected), many of which are among children and adolescents.

Two people have died in 2026, and others were on life support, with some cases requiring ICU treatment.

Additional cases have been reported in adults, including a recent diagnosis in Neemuch city.

In response to the outbreak, two rounds of door-to-door screenings have been conducted by Health Department teams, ASHA workers, and Anganwadi staff to identify potential new cases early.

During early January 2026, Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, who oversees health, visited the area to inspect preparations and directed that the government cover the treatment costs, including critical medications and injections.

Financial aid is also being provided to some families through the Red Cross Society.

GBS is often triggered by preceding infections, such as Campylobacter jejuni (which can result from contaminated food or water), respiratory viruses, or other pathogens; however, the exact cause of this current cluster is still under investigation.

Past GBS clusters in India have occasionally been linked to water quality issues or acute diarrheal diseases.

In 2025, Pune, Maharashtra, reported over 200 cases and 23 deaths linked to contaminated water sources.

For international travelers to India, including Madhya Pradesh, major health authorities such as the U.S. CDC have not issued specific travel health advisories related to this GBS outbreak. Standard travel vaccinations (hepatitis A, typhoid, and rabies, if at risk) are still recommended for travel to India in 2026.

Currently, there is no vaccine available to prevent Guillain-Barré Syndrome.