Eluru: The number of incoming patients due to the unknown illness in Andhra Pradesh's Eluru has come down in the last five days with the number of patients being around tens now as compared to hundreds earlier.
New cases have been reported in Vidyanagar, Shantinagar, Pension Colony, RR Peta, Power peta, Ashoknagar, Kottapeta, East veedi, West veedi, Tangellamudi and Chodidibba areas, doctors said.
Chief Secretary Neelam Sahni also visited Eluru and addressed the victims at the Eluru Government hospital. She then conducted a review with superiors and inquired about the sanitation situation in the city. Sahni also went to the municipal office and spoke to the officials.
She suggested that authorities provide better medical care and inquire all new patients about the source of their drinking water.
In the wake of the mystery illness, several national organizations are conducting research in the city to find out the causes of the strange disease. Blood samples, drinking water, milk and vegetable samples of the victims have been collected and tested.
The reports reveal the presence of heavy metals such as lead and nickel, according to Delhi AIIMS and Indian Institute of Chemical Technology. Some experts have suggested that the presence of lead, nickel in the body with organochlorine is what is causing epilepsy that may occur.
Also read: AP mysterious disease:Only 13 new cases, Deputy CM visits victims
A study by medical sources has revealed that cases of mystery disease were first reported near Pattebada, Ashok Nagar where the pump near a pond supplies drinking water to the area.
Four national organizations - Delhi AIIMS, ICMR - National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) and National Institute of Virology (NIV)- have formed a committee to look into the causes of the disease. They have also visited several industries in Vatlur Industrial Estate and collected drinking water samples from the most affected areas in the city and sent for testing. Blood samples are now being collected from the new victims.
Along with this committee, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) from Hyderabad is also participating in this research and officials say a report from them will be coming by today evening.
The government has appointed a Chief Secretary high-level committee with 20 members to make a full diagnosis which includes senior officials from various departments, directors of various national research institutes, scientists and medical professionals.
The government has also directed the committee to analyze and release the findings on the mystery disease as soon as possible.
