A.P. CM orders urgent steps to find cause of Turakapalem deaths, take up remedial action

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed the officials of the Health Department to identify the cause of multiple deaths that occurred at Turakapalem village in Guntur district in July and August, at the earliest while taking necessary preventive measures by considering it as a health emergency. He told them to seek the help of Central medical teams, including from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Mangalagiri.

Addressing an urgent review meeting on the prevalence of the disease, at his camp office here on Friday, Mr. Naidu told the officials to study the symptoms thoroughly and do a comprehensive investigation in order to zero in on the exact cause of the deaths that set the alarm bells ringing. 

He ordered that special medical teams be sent to the village on September 6 and 7 for conducting 42 prescribed medical tests on each one of the residents. By doing so, the officials should prepare a public health profile to be better equipped to tackle the scourge. He instructed that patients who were seriously ill should be immediately hospitalised and given proper medical care. 

Suspected melioidosis

Saying that the deaths could be due to the spread of a harmful bacteria through air, water, food or soil, Mr. Naidu ordered that safe drinking water be supplied and awareness spread on the importance of hygiene and safe food practices.

Officials informed the Chief Minister that the cases in Turakapalem showed signs of melioidosis. Bloodsamples were dispatched to laboratories, and reports were expected in 72 hours, they said. These bacteria were found in soil, stagnant water, and damp grounds, especially during the monsoon and floods and people with diabetes, kidney, or liver problems and those having poor immunity were at greater risk of infection. 

The possibility of transmission of the bacteria from animals was being looked into given the dependence of the villagers on livestock for their livelihood. A majority of the patients were found to be initially suffering with fever and cough, and lung damage in the later stages. A six-week course of antibiotics was being prescribed to control the disease, the officials noted.