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Indian authorities are investigating whether organochlorines used as pesticides or to control mosquitoes have killed one person and hospitalized more than 400 in southern Andhra Pradesh in recent days, Reuters was quoted as saying by Agerpres.
More than 300 children were infected, most with dizziness, fainting, headaches and vomiting. All tested negative for COVID-19.
Andhra Pradesh State Deputy Narasimha Rao wrote on Twitter that he had spoken with government medical experts and that “the most likely cause of the disease was organochlorine poisoning.”
“It’s one of the possibilities,” said Geeta Prasadini, director of public health for Andhra Pradesh state, adding that test reports to determine the cause are pending.
He said there had been no serious cases in the past 24 hours.
A 45-year-old man died late last week.
Organochlorines are banned or restricted in many countries after studies have shown that they can cause cancer and other diseases. Some of these pollutants remain in the environment for years and accumulate in animal and human body fat.
It is not known exactly how much these chemicals are used in India, although they are found in the insecticide DDT that is used to control mosquitoes.
Short-term exposure to organochlorine pesticides can cause seizures, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, tremors, confusion, muscle weakness, blurred speech, salivation and sweating, US health officials said.
