Anatoly Chubais was discharged from a hospital in Italy and is set to begin rehabilitation in Frankfurt, according to reports from La Repubblica. Medical teams are treating Guillain-Barré syndrome as the leading diagnosis while noting that his body is responding to care. Italian physicians have not dismissed the possibility of poisoning yet, as the results of toxicology tests have not been finalized.
Family sources confirm that the discharge from the Italian clinic came with reassurance about the politician’s health. The brother of the former Rosnano president said that there was no immediate threat to his client’s well being and that the recovery is gradual.
poison theory
Hints about a possible poisoning circulated on the Telegram channel Attention News, attributed to Ksenia Sobchak. On July 31 the channel claimed that Chubais had been taken to intensive care and admitted to hospital. It was said that the room where his condition deteriorated was inspected by specialists wearing chemical protective gear. Police investigators questioned witnesses. No official statement confirmed the presence of toxic substances, although officials warned that the working diagnosis could shift as new information emerged.
The imagery of chemical protection gear was widely picked up by media and public figures, fueling speculation that the Rosnano veteran had been targeted. Responding to Dmitry Gordon on air, Sobchak indicated that Chubais repeated information provided by his wife, Avdotya Smirnova, word for word.
Smirnova told a journalist that her husband’s illness appeared suddenly with symptoms affecting his limbs and mobility. The report added that toxicology results were pending, while doctors maintained that there was no evidence of deliberate poisoning at that stage. At the time of writing, no further health details were disclosed.
Photographs from the hospital ward circulated on social media, enhancing public interest in the case.
On August 3 Sobchak posted an image from the hospital on his Telegram channel and clarified that the diagnosis had been conveyed to him by Smirnova, the wife of the former politician. He emphasized that the illness was not related to a recent coronavirus infection, noting that vaccination history was consistent with a routine schedule two years prior and six months earlier respectively. A subsequent post confirmed the Guillain-Barré diagnosis from medical staff.
Guillain-Barré syndrome
Guillain-Barré syndrome remains a rare neurological condition, though its recognition increased during the wave of infections associated with the Omicron variant. The syndrome can develop as a complication after a viral illness and, in severe cases, may lead to paralysis. Most patients, however, recover with appropriate treatment. The broader medical discourse includes comparably notable cases in the public sphere, including a director who experienced a similar episode last year and briefly required intensive care. Medical experts stress that the exact cause of Guillain-Barré remains unknown, though researchers are investigating immune responses that misdirect the body’s defense system. Treatments commonly involve hormonal therapy, intravenous immunoglobulin, or plasmapheresis to reduce harmful immune components in the blood.
Neurology specialists highlight that diagnosis relies on clinical examination and supportive tests, with management focusing on stabilizing breathing, preventing complications, and promoting recovery. As the public conversation continues, clinicians in several countries, including Canada and the United States, emphasize the importance of rapid evaluation for patients presenting acute weakness or tingling following a viral illness. This evolving understanding helps guide patients and families through recovery and rehabilitation planning.
Commentary from medical professionals underscores that Guillain-Barré is an intricate condition with diverse outcomes. While some patients experience a quick recovery, others require extended rehabilitation. The medical community continues to monitor guidelines for therapy options that optimize neurological recovery and minimize long-term impact.