Updated: December 10, 2020 12:26:16 pm
Young patients are treated in hospital beds at an Eluru hospital on December 9, 2020 (ANI / Reuters TV / via Reuters).
More than 550 people in the town of Eluru, in the Western Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, have been suffering from seizures, convulsions, dizziness and nausea since last saturday afternoon. Seizures last 3 to 5 minutes, usually followed by vomiting or loss of consciousness. Doctors at the Eluru Government Hospital, where most of the victims are treated, say patients are fine within an hour or two and are discharged. People of all ages, men, women and even young children are among the victims.
While at least 90 people were taken to hospitals on Saturday night, the numbers rose dramatically on Sunday and Monday. Only since Tuesday night has the number of victims dropped.
On Wednesday, fewer than 20 people were taken to hospitals, but most did not suffer seizures or seizures. The initial panic has subsided on Thursday and fewer than 20 people are in treatment or under observation.
Eluru’s disease: What has caused the disease?
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi found traces of lead and nickel in blood samples from 25 victims of the 45 samples sent by the state government. Public health experts and scientists from various agencies are awaiting detailed reports of analyzes of blood and water samples, but the main suspicion is water contamination. by heavy metals. Scientists suspect that a pesticide or insecticide has leaked into drinking water sources.
The district administration and officials from the Eluru Municipal Corporation are also investigating whether the excessive use of bleach powder and chlorine in sanitation programs as part of prevention measures caused water contamination. Experts from Hyderabad’s National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) who collected water, blood and food samples from Eluru say there are indications of lead contamination, but can confirm this only after detailed test reports.
Eluru receives water through channels of the Godavari and Krishna rivers. The canals cut through agricultural fields where runoff mixed with pesticides mixes with the water from the canals. Many aspects of the mysterious disease have puzzled scientists. People who only use bottled drinking water have also gotten sick. There are many cases when only one or two people in the family got sick. More than 70% of the city of Eluru is affected. Even areas outside the Eluru Municipal Corporation that are not supplied with potable water are also affected.📣 Follow Express explained on Telegram
Other patients help a patient out of an ambulance at the district government hospital in Eluru, on Dec. 8, 2020. (AP Photo)
Who participates in the research?
While AIIMS, New Delhi, tests blood, water and milk samples for heavy metals, the Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad tests for pathogens. The National Institute of Nutrition in Hyderabad is testing urine, blood, water, vegetables, fruit and other consumables samples for traces of heavy metals and pesticides. The Indian Institute of Chemical Technology is testing water and blood samples for traces of pesticides.
A two-member WHO team is in Eluru to monitor the situation. During the household survey, locally taken water samples were analyzed, but no traces of lead or pesticides were found.
While lead and pesticides continue to be concentrated, research is also underway for other pathogens, likely sources.
Patients are treated at the district government hospital in Eluru on December 6, 2020. (AP Photo)
What action is the state government taking?
The West Godavari district administration has deployed 62 medical teams to monitor city residents and nearby areas affected by the mysterious disease. Relief and medical teams have conducted two rounds of home surveys to check people’s status, and even Thursday, teams were checking residents to make sure they are safe.
Teams of officers have been dispersed to check all water sources and find out the source of the suspected contamination. Officials were checking garbage dumps where batteries can leak and contaminate groundwater. Teams are also tracking the two channels that bring water to Eluru to check for any sources of contamination.
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