Lead and nickel content established as root cause of unknown illness gripping Andhra's Eluru

All the wards in Eluru Government General Hospital are packed with patients and the inflow of the patients is continuing. The health authorities are now admitting them in nearby hospitals. Taking cognizance of the situation Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy visited Eluru on Monday and Centre has deployed a three-member medical team that will arrive in Eluru on Tuesday to study the mysterious illness.

Visakhapatnam:Lead and nickel content in drinking water and milk was primarily established as the root cause of the mysterious disease in Eluru city of Andhra Pradesh, which so far claimed one life and left over 500 people sick.

Based on the preliminary findings of the expert teams from AIIMS and other state and central institutions, health officials presented a report to Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy here on Tuesday.

A CMO release said lead and nickel were found to be the causative agents for the mysterious disease, citing a report prepared by the AIIMS experts.

"More tests are being conducted by Indian Institute of Chemical Technology and other institutes and the results are expected soon. The Chief Minister directed the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation of the heavy metal content in the patients' bodies and constantly monitor the treatment process," the CMO release added.

With the number of people falling sick due to the mysterious illness in the Eluru city of Andhra Pradesh, panic has gripped the public in the neighbouring areas too.

All the wards in Eluru Government General Hospital are packed with patients and the inflow of the patients is continuing. The health authorities are now admitting them in nearby hospitals.

Taking cognizance of the situation Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy visited Eluru on Monday and Centre has deployed a three-member medical team that will arrive in Eluru on Tuesday to study the mysterious illness.

"No one needs to worry. Physicians are instructed to act without negligence in providing better medical care to the victims," he assured.

Representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) are also reviewing the situation.

Over the last two days, over 22 water samples from different parts of Eluru along with 9 milk samples were collected and tested in laboratories across cities such as Vijayawada, Guntur and the local testing centres in Eluru. Around 52 blood samples have been collected directly and around 35 samples have been taken out from the spinal cord of the victims and sent for examination.

However, these reports did not show any suspicious symptoms. Officials from the Health and Medical Department stated that samples were collected from the victims and also from their respective homes with regards to the blood, urine, stool, food consumed, water, etc. The same samples were sent for examination at the IICT, AIIMS, CCMB and other reputed Diagnostic Institutions.

Deputy Chief Minister (Health) A K K Srinivas said the affected people were recovering well and there was no need to panic.

"Full details as to what triggered the mysterious disease will be known only after the central agencies submit their reports. Primarily, lead has been found to be the cause of the outbreak," he said.

A special sanitation drive was undertaken in Eluru city and also in the adjoining rural pockets and Denduluru from where the cases were reported.

Under the unknown illness, people reported symptoms like vertigo, fits, breathing, dizziness and suddenly collapsing. The Health authorities have not yet confirmed the actual cause of the problem yet.

Inflow of patients

More than 200 people were admitted to the Eluru Government General Hospital between Sunday night to Tuesday morning. The number of patients rose to 505 as of Tuesday morning. 17 persons were shifted to Vijayawada and Guntur hospitals.

Even though 332 patients recovered by Tuesday morning, people in Eluru have been panic-struck since a man died of these symptoms on Sunday night.

Recurring symptoms?

Adding on to the problem are the alleged recurring symptoms. Many who were discharged after reduced symptoms are coming back to the hospital with the same symptoms. According to preliminary information, three or four people have returned to the hospital and reportedly one of those who had recovered and gone home had fits again.

Changing symptoms?

Most people did not experience vomiting or foaming at the mouth on Saturday and Sunday, however, a high percentage of victims on Monday suffered from these symptoms including diarrhoea and epilepsy. Many people also experienced bleeding through their mouths.

In some areas, due to the unavailability of ambulances, victims were coming by private vehicles.

Patients are given saline injections at the hospital and later they reportedly suffered from headaches, backaches, dizziness, and gastric problems. Some patients also say they did not receive any medical care at the time. Apart from the district hospital, some are being treated at other private, corporate, and RMP hospitals in Eluru.

Hospital staff falling ill too

Even health personnel who treating patients are now suffering from this unknown disease.

Nurse Ranjini, who was on duty at the Eluru Government Hospital on Monday suddenly fell ill and experienced fits. The incident has scarred the hospital staff.

Three town police constable also fell ill while performing Chief Minister's tour security duties. One of them was rushed to the hospital after he experienced nystagmus. However, he recovered immediately after receiving medical attention.

Non-stop fits for two women‌:

Two of the five women who came to the Guntur General Hospital are still suffering from fits. Guntur GGH Superintendent Prabhavati said that Kusumakumari and Lakshmikumari are experiencing fits every two hours.

"A committee was set up with expert doctors to find out the causes of their illness," she said. The doctors added that CT/MRI scans showed they had no brain problems.

Hospital superintendent Shiva Shankar said due to the severity of the illness incoming patients will be now treated at a special ward of the government hospital in Vijayawada.

Medical personnel are advised to be more vigilant and to be available 24 hours a day and provide specialized medical services.

Effects clearly seen on the brain itself

Since Monday, victims were being rushed to the hospital with epileptic signs such as fits, dizziness and nausea. Since the patients are being treated for epileptic symptoms and are responding positively to the treatment, the exact root cause for the illness is not known till now. One of the neuro-physicians opined that since the victims are being affected with symptoms of brain damage and neuro-controls, it is important that study is done with a specific target of arriving at the root cause to this strange disease. Another Senior doctor mentioned that it has been observed in some of the victims that their pupils are displaying a few white patches which need further investigation into the cause.