Though it still remains unclear as to what led to over 300 people suffering from symptoms of a mysterious disease, it is being learnt that high levels of lead contamination in drinking water might have led to the outbreak. It is also being attributed to the presence of strong chemicals which are being used by the aquaculture industry. If this is true? Then the whole coastal zone of AP is vulnerable.
The mystery illness that rocked Eluru town of Andhra Pradesh’s West Godavari district has turned sensational having drawn worldwide attention. Usually, the symptoms of seizures, vomiting, giddiness, severe headache and foaming at the mouth which were reported by over two hundred people are associated usually with air pollution. Experts from the World Health Organisation (WHO), AIIMS, NIV Pune, and a PH Expert from NCDC, Delhi will arrive in Eluru on Tuesday.
Even the Central Government has taken up the issue with utmost seriousness and a team of specialists will also tour the city of Eluru to investigate the cause of the mysterious outbreak. On the other hand, authorities are awaiting culture reports of cerebral fluid samples taken from affected persons including the results of milk samples sent to the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad. The tests results could help shed light into what might’ve caused the outbreak. However, officials have ruled out signs of contagion in the incident.
The whole city comes to a standstill
According to reports, over five hundred people were affected by the incident wherein most of the citizens collapsed and were seen foaming at the mouth. Some others even reported experiencing seizures, vomiting, giddiness and severe headache. According to test reports, doctors in the city have confirmed the presence of high levels of lead contamination in drinking water. Preliminary estimates suggest that strong chemicals used by aquaculture industries could’ve led to the contamination of drinking water.
In other words, all coastal districts in Andhra Pradesh are vulnerable if it’s really a case of water contamination due to lead as the aquaculture industry thrives in over 6 lakh acres in the state. Environmentalists have also warned about the possibility of groundwater being contaminated due to the strong chemicals used by these industries. In this context, doctors have also warned citizens against drinking RO purified water. Already, groundwaters in the coastal districts have turned useless for household consumption.
