Eluru disease outbreak: AIIMS, NIN rules out water as the source

World Health Organisation (WHO), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB) and Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) are investigating the cause of the mysterious disease in the Eluru town of West Godavari district.

All India Institute of Medical Science(AIIMS) New Delhi, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) and National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) have found and confirmed the presence of Lead and Nickel in the blood samples.

The National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) has also found the presence of organophosphate in the blood samples and requires some more time for further investigations. AIIMS, New Delhi has tied up with other collaborative institutions for studying the presence of organo-chlorine and organo-phosphates in blood. They also found that out of 40 urine samples sent to AIIMS New Delhi, only 2 samples have shown the presence of Lead and Nickel.

AIIMS New Delhi and Indian Institute of Chemical technology (IICT) have not found anything adverse in the water samples and claim that water is unlikely to be the source. National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) is further analyzing the water samples and has requested time till Monday, December 14.

The water samples on a daily basis in Eluru indicate that the water is potable and absolutely fit for human consumption. National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) has found the presence of herbicides in vegetables which are incidental to the study. Other results relating to vegetables, rice, fish, meat and soil are under analysis and the results will likely be available by coming Wednesday, December 16.

The symptoms of the mysterious disease that left 340 people hospitalised in West Godavari district's Eluru town includes epileptic fits that last three-five minutes, forgetfulness, anxiety, vomiting, headache, and back pain, according to the report by the district collector.