A mystery fever which sickened hundreds of people in Andhra Pradesh’s Eluru town in West Godavari District, alarming the health officials in the midst of Covid-19 pandemic, could be linked to lead and nickel poisoning, a preliminary report of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has revealed.A team from AIIMS was rushed to Eluru town after at least 550 people fell sick since Saturday evening from an undiagnosed illness, said media reports.According to health officials the illness has symptoms like epilepsy for 3-5 minutes, anxiety, forgetfulness, vomiting, and back pain.
Though most people have recovered from the mystery fever swiftly, the death of a 45-year-old man in the weekend has left the administration worried. The AIIMS team conducted blood tests and a preliminary report revealed that at least 10 blood samples collected from different places in Eluru have traces of heavy metals lead and nickel.
Superintendent told, “The sample size that we sent on an urgent basis to AIIMS was small but their report indicates presence of heavy metals like lead and nickel in the blood samples of patients. We have sent more samples and their reports are awaited. “
Of the 550 people, who were admitted because of the fever, only 84 are still remaining in the hospital, Dr Mohan added.According to the administration the disease does not seem to be contagious and has also been reported from localities where Eluru Municipality does not supply water.After AIIMS report, Andhra chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has asked the officials to submit a detailed report on the lillness, tests, including milk and water test conducted and treatment provided.“An Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) team is also running tests and the results are awaited,” a statement from the chief minister’s office said.
