Updated: December 8, 2020 6:30:21 pm
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare sent a team to Eluru in the Western Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, where 340 people fell ill due to an unknown illness. (AP Photo)
A preliminary report from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, has found traces of heavy metals lead and nickel in at least 10 blood samples collected from patients from different places in the city of Eluru in the West district. Godavari in Andhra Pradesh. The AIIMS team performed the blood tests after at least 550 people have fallen ill in the city of Eluru since Saturday night due to an undiagnosed illness. The results indicate that the lead and nickel content in drinking water or milk is the possible reason why people get sick.
Eluru Government Hospital Superintendent Dr. AV Mohan said The Indian Express: “The sample size that we sent urgently to AIIMS was small but their report indicates the presence of heavy metals such as lead and nickel in the blood samples of the patients. We have sent more samples and their reports are awaiting. “
Dr. Mohan said that of the 550 people who were admitted, only 84 remain in hospitals now and would also be discharged soon.
Earlier, West Godavari District Collector R Muthyala Raju said: “Some of these people complained of seizures, anxiety, vomiting and headaches. Until now, the disease has not been transmitted from one person to another. People who live in other areas, where the municipality of Eluru does not supply drinking water, have also gotten sick ”.
Following the AIIMS report, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday instructed officials to submit a detailed report on the disease, tests performed and treatment offered along with reports of tests performed with milk and Water.
A statement from the Chief Minister’s Office said: “The CM inquired about the mysterious illness in Eluru and ordered officials to be vigilant and conduct all possible tests to find the real cause.”
“A team from the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) is also conducting tests and the results are awaited,” the CMO statement added.
© The Indian Express (P) Ltd
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