A suspected milk adulteration incident in East Godavari district has claimed 13 lives so far, while seven people continue to receive treatment at hospitals in Rajamahendravaram, officials confirmed on Thursday.
Health department authorities first noticed the cluster of cases on February 22. At that time, several elderly residents were admitted to hospitals with severe symptoms such as anuria, vomiting, abdominal pain, and acute renal dysfunction that required dialysis.
Affected Areas and Source of Exposure
As reported by The Print, the patients belonged mainly to Chowdeswaranagar and Swaroopanagar localities of Lalacheruvu. According to officials, residents in these areas reportedly fell ill after consuming milk suspected to be adulterated and supplied locally.
Preliminary investigations identified milk consumption as the likely source of exposure. Authorities found that the milk had been supplied to around 106 families by Varalakshmi Milk Dairy. Following the discovery, officials immediately halted the supply.
Medical Findings Suggest Toxic Exposure
Doctors observed elevated levels of blood urea and serum creatinine in several affected patients. These findings suggest possible exposure to toxic substances that may have triggered severe kidney dysfunction.
Consequently, medical teams intensified monitoring and treatment for affected individuals to prevent further complications.
Emergency Response and Medical Support
In response to the incident, authorities set up emergency medical camps in the affected localities. Doctors and ambulance services have been deployed round the clock to provide immediate medical care.
Additionally, officials formed Rapid Response Teams comprising district surveillance officers, physicians, microbiologists, paediatricians, forensic experts, epidemiologists, and nephrologists to manage the crisis effectively.
Food Safety Investigation Underway
Meanwhile, the Food Safety Department inspected the dairy unit linked to the milk supply. Officials collected samples of milk, paneer, ghee, drinking water, and vinegar for further examination.
Laboratories at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Kakinada and Vimta Labs in Hyderabad are currently conducting microbial, physio-chemical, and toxic adulterant analyses on these samples.
Furthermore, authorities have sent blood and urine samples of the affected individuals for detailed toxicological testing.
Police Action and Arrest of Suspect
Police have taken the suspected milk vendor, Addala Ganeswararao (33), a resident of Narasapuram village, into custody. Officials also sealed the dairy unit associated with the supply.
Teams from the forensic division and the Crime Scene Linking Understanding Evidence and Science (CLUES) unit inspected the premises. At the same time, authorities sent post-mortem samples to the Regional Forensic Laboratory in Vijayawada.
Investigators are currently tracing the distribution network to identify other consumers who may have been exposed.
Veterinary and Scientific Analysis Initiated
The Animal Husbandry Department has also launched an investigation. A team of four veterinary doctors collected 41 milk samples along with cattle feed and water samples. These samples have been sent to the Veterinary Biological Research Institute in Vijayawada for analysis.
Meanwhile, police have registered a case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Authorities stated that the investigation is ongoing.