Amaravati/East Godavari, 26 February (HS): The death toll in the suspected milk adulteration case in East Godavari district has risen to five, with 15 persons currently undergoing treatment at various hospitals, according to an official press release.

The latest victim was a 76-year-old woman from Gandhipuram. Earlier, four persons had died and nearly 15 others were hospitalised in Rajamahendravaram after reportedly consuming contaminated milk. Several of the affected individuals are undergoing dialysis and are on ventilator support following acute renal complications.

The Andhra Pradesh government has stepped up surveillance and enforcement measures across the State following the detection of the cluster of acute renal failure cases.

“The Andhra government has intensified surveillance and enforcement measures after detecting a cluster of acute renal failure cases in Rajamahendravaram, East Godavari district, with preliminary epidemiological findings indicating milk consumption as the probable source of exposure,” the release stated.

The Health Department said the cluster was identified after multiple elderly persons were admitted with symptoms including anuria, vomiting, abdominal pain and acute renal dysfunction requiring dialysis. Clinical findings showed elevated blood urea and serum creatinine levels, indicating possible toxic exposure.

Preliminary epidemiological investigations have pointed to milk consumption as the probable source. Milk had reportedly been supplied to 106 families from a private dairy unit in Narasapuram village. Authorities immediately halted the supply.

In response, the State government has launched inspections at milk sales and storage centres. Officials said around 150 milk samples have been collected from various parts of the State and dispatched for laboratory testing.

The Food Safety Department inspected the dairy unit and collected samples of milk, paneer, ghee, drinking water and vinegar for testing. Samples from affected households were also collected and sent to laboratories in Kakinada and Hyderabad for microbial, physico-chemical and toxic adulterant analysis.

Blood and urine samples have been forwarded to the Indian Institute of Technology, Tirupati, for advanced toxicological examination. Post-mortem samples have been sent to the Regional Forensic Laboratory in Vijayawada.

Emergency medical camps have been set up in the affected areas with round-the-clock deployment of doctors and ambulances. Rapid Response Teams comprising the District Surveillance Officer, general medicine specialists, microbiologists, paediatricians, forensic experts, epidemiologists and nephrologists were constituted to manage the situation.

The suspected milk vendor, a 33-year-old resident of Narasapuram village, has been taken into custody. The dairy unit linked to the supply has been sealed, and forensic teams have inspected the premises.

Police officials said investigations are underway to trace the distribution network and identify all affected consumers.

The Animal Husbandry Department has constituted a team of four veterinary doctors who collected 41 milk samples along with cattle feed and water samples for testing at the Veterinary Biological Research Institute, Vijayawada.

Senior officials, including the Commissioner of Health and the Director of Food Safety, have been deputed to monitor the situation. Further action will be taken based on laboratory and forensic findings, officials said.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar