Eluru mystery: Two more die, Andhra Pradesh govt says not related

ELURU: Two persons admitted with symptoms of mystery disease in Eluru died in Vijayawada on a day AP set up a panel to study reports from various national laboratories on the ailment that has hit 611 since December 6.
While one person died due to it on December 7, the state said Thursday’s deaths were not due to outbreak. “The two deaths were due to other health complications, one had tuberculosis and another a Covid patient,” said Eluru government hospital superintendent Dr AVR Mohan.
On Thursday, 31 more were admitted with the symptoms.
The state government said the condition of four others was “unstable” but they didn’t appear to be related to the Eluru outbreak. But they were all admitted with seizures and other symptoms seen in other patients. People have complained of seizures, sudden loss of consciousness, frothing and shivering. On Thursday, 31 more were admitted to hospitals with the symptoms.
Several research bodies and hospitals, including NIV Pune and AIIMS Delhi, have collected samples of municipal water, vegetables, fish, fruits and blood samples of patients. The lab reports of samples collected by authorities are expected on Friday which could help health officials in decoding the problem.
AP chief secretary Nilam Sawhney visited Eluru government general hospital and interacted with patients. Later, she conducted a review meeting with the district authorities and the expert teams drawn from national-level research bodies. She directed the authorities to form an expert committee to review the test results.
Dr Mohan said that the expert team will comprise a senior doctor from AIIMS, New Delhi, director of AIIMS, Mangalagiri, director of CCMB and the director of IICT along with Eluru government hospital superintendent.