Chief Ministers directs officials to declare health emergency in Turakapalem after mysterious deaths

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday (September 06) directed health authorities to declare a health emergency in Turakapalem village of Guntur district, following the death of 20 people over the past two months due to an unidentified illness.

Reviewing the situation with senior officials on Saturday, the Chief Minister instructed that all patients showing symptoms be immediately shifted to hospitals and that comprehensive health camps be organized in the village over the weekend. He stressed that medical tests should be conducted for all residents and that individual health profiles be prepared to ensure effective monitoring.

Naidu asked the health department to seek the expertise of doctors from AIIMS, Mangalagiri, and, if necessary, international specialists. He also directed officials to ensure the supply of safe drinking water to prevent further infections. “No new case should be reported hereafter,” he asserted.

Officials informed the Chief Minister that preliminary findings point to the possible spread of Melioidosis, a bacterial infection, as the cause of the deaths. Blood samples have been sent to laboratories for confirmation, with reports expected within three days.

They added that the disease may have spread from cattle, as most villagers depend on animal rearing. Farmers could also be at higher risk due to exposure to rainwater-filled fields during the ongoing rainy season. Melioidosis is known to spread more rapidly during floods and heavy rains, officials explained.

The Chief Minister directed continuous monitoring of the situation and assured that all preventive measures would be taken to contain the suspected outbreak.