Urea-laden adulterated milk has claimed 13 lives so far in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district, while nearly a dozen more are seriously ill.
According to reports, the milk was supplied by Varalakshmi Milk Dairy in Narasapuram village in the Korukonda mandal region to over 100 families. The sickness broke on Feb 22 and since then 13 lives have been lost.
Officials have told the media that milk samples were sent for examination after the incident and epidemiological indicators pointed to adulteration of the milk, spiking blood urea levels that point to toxic exposure.
Medical examinations have revealed the presence of ethylene glycol a toxic chemical commonly used in coolants in the milk supply.
The vendor has been arrested and the dairy unit has been sealed, according to reports.
The incident came to light when over 20 people from Chowdeswaranagar and Swaroopanagar in Lalacheruvu developed similar symptoms that were later determined by doctors at the hospitals in Rajamahendravaram as acute renal dysfunction, urinary blockage, indicating severe kidney damage.
As per reports, the administration has set up emergency medical response teams on the ground comprising epidemiologists and nephrologists.