Tragic Anuria Cases: Four Lives Lost Due to Milk Adulteration in Andhra Pradesh
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Amaravati, Feb 23 (NationPress) A tragic incident has unfolded in Rajahmundry city, Andhra Pradesh, where four individuals have succumbed to anuria (the inability to urinate) within a span of two days, potentially due to milk adulteration.
Among those who passed away since Sunday night were S. Seshagiri Rao, aged 72, and Radha Krishnamurthy, aged 74, both of whom were receiving treatment in hospitals.
Currently, the health status of three additional patients remains critical.
Prior to these fatalities, two other deaths were reported. All affected individuals hail from the Laala Cheruvu and Chowdeswari Nagar regions of Rajahmundry in the East Godavari district.
Since February 15, at least 14 individuals have been hospitalized with symptoms of anuria, including four members from a single family.
The common factor among the afflicted families is their shared milk vendor. This has led health officials to suspect that adulterated milk may be the cause of the anuria cases.
The majority of victims are over 60 years old; however, alarming cases also include a three-year-old and a five-month-old infant.
The affected families reported to the police that the milk and curd they received from the vendor on Maha Shivratri (February 15) had a bitter taste. Consequently, the police have detained the vendor, Ganesh, for further investigation.
East Godavari District Collector, Kirthi Chekuri, stated that the definitive cause of these deaths will be determined following the post-mortem examinations.
To expedite the medical investigation, special teams from the Medical and Health Department have been mobilized.
Health and Family Welfare Commissioner, G. Veerapandian, indicated that the department is on high alert in response to the suspected cases of anuria. Efforts are underway to collect samples of milk, water, and other relevant materials from the affected areas.
In the meantime, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu conducted a high-level meeting on Monday to assess the situation.
During the meeting, he spoke with the District Collector, the Superintendent of Police, and officials from the Medical and Health and Food Safety departments.
Officials briefed the Chief Minister about the medical support being provided to the victims.
Chandrababu Naidu instructed that enhanced medical assistance be extended to those undergoing treatment.
It was revealed that the same vendor was supplying milk to 106 households in the affected localities.
Samples have been collected from 75 families who consumed the milk, and further samples are being gathered from additional households. All samples have been dispatched for laboratory testing.
Officials are setting up medical camps and rapid testing facilities at the field level.
After receiving the lab test reports of the milk samples, the Chief Minister ordered strict measures against the vendor.
Additionally, he directed senior officials from the Food Safety and Medical Health Departments to promptly travel to Rajahmundry.