Milk adulteration case: two more die, toll rises to 15

The death toll due to the consumption of milk, adulterated with ethylene glycol, rose to 15 on Friday morning, after two survivors died while undergoing medical treatment at two separate hospitals in Rajamahendravaram city.

The two individuals died within a gap of three hours due to acute renal failure, a condition linked to the consumption of milk adulterated with ethylene glycol. In a health bulletin issued, East Godavari District Medical and Health Officer Dr. K. Venkateswara Rao said; “Two survivors, Reddy Anantha Lakshmi (55) and Kadali Krishna Rao (73) died due to acute renal failure on Friday. As on date, five more survivors are battling for their lives with acute renal failure.”

At least 20 persons, including three infants, suffered acute renal failure after reportedly consuming milk supplied by the same vendor on February 15 and 16. Investigations by the regional forensic laboratory, Vijayawada, confirmed the milk to be adulterated with ethylene glycol in their report.

Meanwhile, the State government has been providing free medical treatment to all the survivors at private hospitals. It has also deployed a team of experts from Hyderabad.