A suspected milk adulteration incident in East Godavari district has claimed 13 lives, while seven people remain under treatment in hospitals in Rajamahendravaram.
Health officials first noticed the cluster of cases on February 22. At that time, several elderly residents were admitted to hospitals with severe symptoms. These included anuria, vomiting, abdominal pain, and acute renal dysfunction requiring dialysis.
Most affected residents belong to Chowdeswaranagar and Swaroopanagar areas of Lalacheruvu. According to officials, many of them had consumed milk supplied locally before falling ill.
Authorities suspect milk contamination
Investigators quickly began tracing the possible source. Strong epidemiological indicators suggest milk adulteration as the likely cause.
Medical tests also support this suspicion. Doctors detected high blood urea and serum creatinine levels in several patients. These indicators often point to exposure to toxic substances. As a result, authorities focused their investigation on the milk supply chain in the affected area.
Milk supply halted after investigation
Preliminary findings linked the suspected exposure to milk supplied by Varalakshmi Milk Dairy. The unit operates in Narasapuram village of Korukonda mandal.
Officials reported that the dairy supplied milk to around 106 families in the locality. Authorities immediately stopped the milk distribution after identifying the possible link. Meanwhile, officials warned residents not to consume milk from the suspected source until laboratory results confirm its safety.
Emergency medical response deployed
Authorities set up emergency medical camps in the affected areas. Doctors and ambulance services are now available round the clock.
In addition, the district administration formed Rapid Response Teams to manage the crisis. These teams include physicians, microbiologists, paediatricians, nephrologists, epidemiologists, and forensic experts. Their main goal is to monitor patients, identify the contaminant, and prevent further exposure.
Food safety teams collect samples
The Food Safety Department inspected the dairy facility linked to the milk supply. During the inspection, officials collected several samples for laboratory testing. These samples include milk, paneer, ghee, drinking water, and vinegar.
Authorities sent the samples to laboratories such as Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Kakinada and VIMTA Labs. Scientists will conduct microbial, physicochemical, and toxic adulterant analysis. Meanwhile, doctors also collected blood and urine samples from affected patients for detailed toxicological examination.
Vendor detained and dairy sealed
Police detained the suspected milk vendor, Addala Ganeswararao (33), a resident of Narasapuram village. Authorities also sealed the dairy unit linked to the milk supply. Forensic experts from CLUES inspected the premises and collected evidence.
In addition, investigators sent post-mortem samples to the Regional Forensic Laboratory in Vijayawada for detailed examination. Police said the investigation will also trace the milk distribution network to identify other consumers who may have been affected.
Veterinary teams join the investigation
The Animal Husbandry Department has also launched an investigation. A team of four veterinary doctors collected 41 milk samples, along with cattle feed and water samples. Authorities sent these samples to the Veterinary Biological Research Institute for laboratory testing.
Legal action initiated
Police have registered a case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS) and Section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Authorities said the final cause of the incident will become clear after laboratory and forensic reports are completed.