Toxin in Milk: How Contaminated Supply From One Dairy Killed 16 in Andhra Pradesh
The suspected milk adulteration incident in Andhra Pradesh's East Godavari district has resulted in 16 fatalities due to multi-organ failure from ethylene glycol exposure. Following reports of severe health issues among residents since mid-February, health authorities initiated an investigation after a spike in acute kidney failure cases.
The death toll in the suspected
milk adulteration case in Andhra Pradesh's East Godavari district climbed to 16 on Sunday, with laboratory findings confirming that victims died of multi-organ failure triggered by acute renal failure after consuming milk laced with ethylene glycol, a toxic chemical commonly used in antifreeze.
Three persons are currently undergoing treatment at hospitals in Rajamahendravaram, while one patient has been discharged after recovery, officials said.
How It Unfolded
The incident traces back to mid-February, when residents of Chowdeswaranagar and Swaroopanagar areas in Lalacheruvu began reporting severe health complications, including vomiting, abdominal pain, inability to urinate, and acute kidney dysfunction, after consuming locally supplied milk.
The case formally came to light on February 22, when a cluster of patients with acute kidney failure symptoms was reported, prompting health authorities to launch an epidemiological investigation. The same day, police registered a case under Section 194 of the BNSS, which deals with unnatural deaths, following a complaint by Tadi Seetharamaiah, son of one of the deceased.
Between February 16 and March 21, a total of 20 persons were admitted to various hospitals. Of these, 16 have since died, three remain under treatment, and one recovered.
Source Traced, Supply Stopped
Investigators identified a dairy unit in Narasapuram village under Korukonda mandal in East Godavari as the suspected source. Milk from the unit had been supplied to over 100 families in the area. Supply from the unit was immediately stopped after it was flagged.
The milk vendor was taken into custody by police, while forensic teams examined the premises and collected evidence.
What the Labs Found
Laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of ethylene glycol in the contaminated milk. "Preliminary findings indicate that the victims suffered acute renal failure with elevated blood urea and serum creatinine levels, suggesting toxic exposure likely linked to contaminated milk consumption," the release said.
The Food Safety Department collected samples of milk, curd, ghee, paneer, water and other materials from the dairy unit, which were sent to multiple laboratories for both microbial and chemical analysis. The Animal Husbandry Department separately collected samples of cattle feed and water to determine whether contamination occurred at the source level.
Scale of Response
Authorities mounted a large-scale public health response in the affected localities. Among the measures deployed:
Rapid Response Teams comprising medical specialists, epidemiologists and surveillance officers were constituted to conduct field visits and identify symptomatic cases early. House-to-house surveys were carried out covering over 300 individuals across affected families, with blood samples collected and tested, the majority of which returned normal results. Emergency medical camps were set up in the area, and senior health officials and specialist doctors from Hyderabad were deputed to monitor treatment protocols.
Patients admitted to hospitals included elderly persons and children, several of whom required dialysis and ventilator support, officials said. Authorities said the situation is currently under control. Further action will be taken based on detailed laboratory findings and the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
Source:
The suspected milk adulteration incident in Andhra Pradesh's East Godavari district has resulted in 16 fatalities due to multi-organ failure from ethylene glycol exposure. Following reports of severe health issues among residents since mid-February, health authorities initiated an investigation...
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