The Maharashtra Animal Husbandry Department has launched an investigation into a potential link between poultry farming and Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) following directives from the central and state governments. The testing process is focused on Khadakwasla and nearby areas, where several suspected cases of GBS have been reported.

Animal Husbandry Commissioner Dr Praveenkumar Deore said, “A special team from the department has collected cloacal swabs, faecal matter, and water samples from 11 poultry farms in the region, which have been sent sent for analysis to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune. The investigation aims to determine whether poultry or contaminated water could be contributing factors to the recent rise in GBS cases.”