The number of deaths linked to a suspected milk adulteration incident in East Godavari district has increased to 13, while seven people remain under treatment in hospitals in Rajamahendravaram, officials confirmed on Thursday (March 12).
Health authorities said the first cluster of cases was reported on February 22 after several elderly residents were admitted with symptoms including anuria, vomiting, abdominal pain and acute kidney dysfunction that required dialysis.
The affected individuals were residents of Chowdeswaranagar and Swaroopanagar in Lalacheruvu, who reportedly consumed milk suspected to be adulterated and distributed in the area.
Officials stated that strong epidemiological evidence indicates milk contamination as the likely cause of the illnesses. Investigations revealed elevated blood urea and serum creatinine levels in the affected individuals, suggesting possible exposure to toxic substances.
Preliminary findings point to milk supplied to around 106 families by Varalakshmi Milk Dairy located in Narasapuram village of Korukonda mandal. Authorities immediately stopped the milk supply after the suspected link emerged.
To manage the situation, emergency medical camps have been established in the affected areas with doctors and ambulance services available around the clock. Rapid Response Teams comprising district surveillance officers, physicians, microbiologists, paediatricians, epidemiologists, nephrologists and forensic experts have also been deployed.
The Food Safety Department inspected the dairy facility associated with the supply and collected samples of milk, paneer, ghee, drinking water and vinegar for detailed examination. These samples have been sent to laboratories at JNTU Kakinada and VIMTA Labs in Hyderabad for microbial, physico-chemical and toxic adulterant analysis.
Blood and urine samples from affected individuals have also been forwarded for toxicological testing.
Meanwhile, the suspected milk supplier, Addala Ganeswararao (33), a resident of Narasapuram village, has been taken into custody and the dairy unit has been sealed.
Teams from CLUES (Crime Scene Linking Understanding Evidence and Science) and forensic experts inspected the facility, while post-mortem samples were sent to the Regional Forensic Laboratory in Vijayawada. Police said they are investigating the distribution chain to identify other potentially affected consumers.
In addition, the Animal Husbandry Department formed a team of four veterinary doctors who collected 41 milk samples, along with cattle feed and water samples, which were sent to the Veterinary Biological Research Institute in Vijayawada for testing.
Police have registered a case under Section 194 of the BNSS and Section 174 of the CrPC, and further investigation is ongoing.
