Milk as Poison: Death Toll Rises to Seven
Blood samples of some affected patients have been sent for analysis at the forensic science lab in Vijayawada
Vijayawada: The death toll in the adulterated milk consumption incident rose to seven by Tuesday, while lab test reports of samples of the milk, curd etc are awaited in Rajamahendravaram in East Godavari district.
Two out of the seven deaths were reported in the last two days -- with G Surya Rao, 81, passing away at KIMS Hospital on Tuesday and K Satyanarayana, 76, there on Monday.
Sources privy to the case investigation said people consumed the milk suspected to contain ethylene glycol and started falling sick from Feb 16. Samples of the milk, curd, ghee, cream, paneer, vinegar etc were collected on Feb 23 and sent to various labs for analysis.
Some officials of the food safety are not convinced about the efficacy of the tests at the labs. The collection of samples for lab analysis was based on suspicion that these too might be adulterated milk, but in reality, the authorities found no remnants of the adulterated milk and other products to be sent for analysis, to get factual reports, they say.
However, surveillance samples of pannier, ghee, drinking water, vinegar and milk were sent for analysis to JNTU Kakinada and samples of milk and curd from affected houses. Surveillance and enforcement samples of milk from the Varalakshmi Milk Dairy in Narasapuram village of Korukonda mandal in East Godavari were sent to VIMTA Lab in Hyderabad for microbial analysis, physiochemical analysis and to detect presence of any toxic adulterants.
The test reports from these two labs reportedly reached the authorities but they are yet to disclose the details.
Officials said, “Ten out of the 13 patients admitted in hospitals for treatment are on dialysis and ventilator support while the remaining three are taking dialysis.”
Blood samples of some affected patients have been sent for analysis at the forensic science lab in Vijayawada. The reports are awaited.
Sources said that in case the accused milk vendor added any urea, milk powder, starch or water to enhance the quantity of milk available with him, such adulterates could be found in the FSL for analysis.
The findings in the FSL report on contamination of the milk with coolant ethylene glycol, which perhaps could get mixed with the milk through the crack in one of the two containers in the refrigerator, too are yet to be released.
