Pune, Jan 25 (PTI): Pune on Friday reported six fresh suspected cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), an immunological nerve disorder, taking the count to 73, officials said.

The state health department, on Tuesday, set up a Rapid Response Team (RRT) to investigate the sudden rise in this infection after 24 suspected cases were found initially, they added.

"The total number of GBS cases increased to 73, comprising 47 and 26 women. Of these, 14 are on ventilator support," said an official from the state health department.

Meanwhile, the RRT and PMCs health department continued surveillance in the affected areas of Sinhgad Road area.

A total of 7,215 houses have been surveyed so far, comprising 1,943 houses in Pune Municipal Corporation limits, 1,750 houses in Chinchwad Municipal Corporation limits, and 3,522 houses in the district's rural areas, the official said.

GBS is a rare condition that causes sudden numbness and muscle weakness, with symptoms including severe weakness in the limbs, loose motions etc. Bacterial and viral infections generally lead to GBS as they weaken the immunity of patients, as per doctors.

While GBS is prevalent in both paediatric and young-age groups, it will not lead to an epidemic or pandemic, they said, adding most will recover fully with treatment.

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Chennai (PTI): Senior DMK leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi on Friday reiterated her party’s opposition to the office of the governor amid uncertainty over government formation in Tamil Nadu after a fractured election mandate.

Speaking to PTI Videos, Kanimozhi emphasised that the DMK’s demand for the abolition of the governor’s post remained unchanged, especially as questions arise over constitutional propriety during the current political transition.

"Our position that we do not need a governor at all is something the DMK has never changed at any point in time," she said.

When asked about the governor’s actions following the election results—particularly the delay in inviting the leading party to form the government—Kanimozhi pointed to what she described as the "inherent friction" between the office of the governor and the political interests of the state.

She said the current situation "raises a lot of questions" and requires introspection regarding constitutional procedures.

Kanimozhi described the election results as lacking a "clear mandate", which she identified as the primary reason for the prevailing political uncertainty in the state.

"What the people decide is supreme," she said, adding that while the mandate was not decisive, it must be respected.

The Thoothukudi MP attributed the ongoing delays and "many confusions" to the absence of a decisive majority for any single party.

She firmly dismissed rumours about the DMK potentially supporting the AIADMK from outside to help stabilise the government.

She described such reports as mere "speculation" and "rumours".

"We can’t be responding to every rumour," she said, declining to comment on the AIADMK’s claims regarding its numbers to form the government.

The political situation in Tamil Nadu remains fluid as stakeholders await the governor’s next constitutional step in an Assembly where no party has secured a clear majority.

The DMK and AIADMK—both of which suffered significant losses to the TVK—are reportedly exploring tactical manoeuvres to navigate the hung Assembly.

The TVK, with 108 seats and the support of Congress’s five MLAs, is still short of the majority mark. The DMK and AIADMK secured 59 and 47 seats, respectively.