Eluru: Indian health officials investigating the cause of mystery illness in Andhra's Eluru have said that organochlorines used as synthetic pesticides could be the reason for a person's death and hospitalisation of more than 300 people in the past few days.
Experts at the National Research Institute suspect that people may have become ill due to contamination of organic chloride by pesticides sprayed on fruits and vegetables. However, there is no official confirmation from the medical experts investigating the case.
Organochlorines are banned or restricted in many countries after research linked them to cancer and other potential health risks. Some of the pollutants remain in the environment for years and build up in animal and human body fat.
However, AIIMS officials had stated the presence of lead and nickel in the blood of the victims.
Andhra Pradesh Health minister Alla Nani said, "A report on the Eluru incident would be submitted on Friday. I have visited the patients admitted to Eluru Government Hospital. The number of patients is decreasing and people should not fear. All necessary steps will be taken in the to avoid recurrence of such incidents in the future."
READ: 'Contaminated water may have caused Eluru illness'
The mysterious illness that has swept Eluru has infected several people with epilepsy, headache, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, tingling, numbness, and sweating as common symptoms. Health officials of the state have expressed concern over the sudden 'mystery illness' and more people have been admitted to the hospital in recent days.
National research institute experts collected the blood and food samples from the patients infected with the disease. The water supply to Eluru was also examined but there has been no conclusive report as of now. Representatives of World Health Organisation (WHO), National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), Pune Virology Lab, Institute of Preventive Medicine and others collected samples at the field level. The NCDC team is also focused on tracing the presence of lead in the cattle. A second report released by AIIMS has also found high levels of lead and nickel in the blood of the victims. It is expected that the report will come in a couple of days.
According to sources, the mystery disease started sweeping Eluru from November 22. Initially, few persons from South, West Streets, and Jaypee Nagar Colony complained of the symptoms similar to epilepsy. Since then, hundreds have been hospitalised and the matter has sparked a controversy.
READ: Eluru mystery illness: Total cases reach 593, only 46 active
