Daijiworld Media Network - Amaravati

Amaravati, Feb 23: Four people have died in two days in Rajahmundry city of Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district following suspected cases of anuria — a condition marked by the inability to pass urine — with authorities probing possible milk adulteration as the cause.

Two more fatalities were reported since Sunday night, identified as S. Seshagiri Rao (72) and Radha Krishnamurthy (74). Two deaths had been recorded earlier. Three other patients remain in critical condition.

At least 14 individuals have been hospitalised since February 15 after developing symptoms consistent with anuria. Among them are four members of a single family. While most of the affected are elderly residents above 60 years, a three-year-old child and a five-month-old infant have also fallen ill.

All victims are from the Laala Cheruvu and Chowdeswari Nagar localities of Rajahmundry. Health authorities suspect adulterated milk as the common link, as the same vendor reportedly supplied milk and curd to all affected households. Families have told police that the dairy products delivered on Maha Shivratri (February 15) had an unusually bitter taste.

Police have detained the vendor, identified as Ganesh, for questioning.

N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation at a high-level meeting on Monday, speaking with the District Collector, Superintendent of Police, and senior officials from the Medical and Health and Food Safety departments. He directed authorities to ensure the best possible treatment for those undergoing care and ordered strict action against the vendor once laboratory reports confirm the cause.

District collector Kirthi Chekuri said the precise cause of death would be established following post-mortem examinations. Health and Family Welfare Commissioner G. Veerapandian stated that the department is on high alert and has collected milk, water and other samples from affected areas for testing.

Officials informed the chief minister that the vendor had supplied milk to 106 households. Samples have already been collected from 75 families, with the remaining households being covered. All samples have been sent to laboratories for analysis.

Medical camps and rapid response health units have been set up in the affected neighbourhoods, and senior Food Safety and Health Department officials have been instructed to rush to Rajahmundry to oversee the investigation.