Following three fatalities in the state due to Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), the state Health department on Tuesday issued a directive to all government hospitals and medical colleges to establish necessary infrastructure to effectively manage and treat GBS cases.

Guidelines have been issued on how to handle GBS cases and immediately report to the Swasthya Bhawan in case any GBS patient comes to their hospital, said sources.

According to sources in the health department a virtual meeting was held on Sunday by the Health Secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam enquiring about how well the hospitals are prepared in case there is a rise in the number of GBS cases and the health officials also enquired the number of patients currently affected with GBS.

Sources said that all hospitals and medical colleges have been asked to ensure that all necessary medical assistance such as plasma therapy, ventilation support systems and intravenous immunoglobulin injections is available.

To ensure preparedness, two Critical Care Unit (CCU) beds in the Neurology department of all medical colleges in the city will be reserved exclusively for Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) cases, said sources. Two beds have been allocated at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), they added.

Additionally, child specialist doctors have been briefed on the symptoms of GBS in children, enabling timely identification and treatment.

Meanwhile, the experts have informed the state health department that the situation currently is under control and there is no reason to panic.

According to sources in the health department, experts have informed that such stray cases occur throughout the year. Though the state health department is yet to officially confirm the cause of the deaths.

Last month three people, including two youngsters, a 10-year-old and a 17-year-old, were suspected to have died of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS).