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The mysterious disease from India could be linked to heavy metal poisoning, tests show.
the first cases of the disease It emerged in the city of Eluru in Andhra Pradesh state over the weekend.
The patients had symptoms ranging from nausea and anxiety to seizures, convulsions, and loss of consciousness, but had tested negative for COVID-19.
According to reports from the Indian media, traces of heavy metals, such as lead and nickel, were found in the blood samples of at least 10 patients.
Eluru Government Hospital Superintendent Dr. AV Mohan told The Indian Express: “The sample size we sent urgently to AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi) was small but your report indicates the presence of heavy metals such as lead and nickel in patients’ blood samples.
“We have sent more samples and their reports are awaited.”
Dr. Mohan said that only 84 people are still in the hospital and they will soon be discharged.
Katamaneni Bhaskar, Andhra Pradesh health commissioner, said: “We have tentatively identified the main cause of the strange phenomenon, but the source and how and why it occurred is still unclear.
“For example, chemicals are found in patients’ bodies, but not in water or in any food substance.”
Sky’s producer in India, Neville Lazarus, said the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology and other institutes are conducting further tests, and results are expected soon.
Hospital officials said 555 people have been treated for the disease since it emerged on Saturday, and while most recovered quickly, a 45-year-old man died of the disease.
India’s healthcare system is already under pressure due to the increasing number of coronavirus Cases in the country.
According to Johns Hopkins University, which is tracking the pandemic around the world, India has recorded more than 9.7 million cases, second only to the United States.
More than 140,500 people have died from the virus, the third worst number behind the United States and Brazil.
Andhra Pradesh has been severely affected by the virus, with more than 872,000 cases detected and more than 7,000 deaths.
