Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has directed the officials to focus on the causes of the mysterious deaths of 20 people in Turakapalem, Guntur district in July and August and to first study the suspected symptoms. He has ordered that this be considered a health emergency and those with severe illness be admitted to hospitals and given emergency treatment.
He wants to examine all aspects and take appropriate precautions. For this, he said special medical teams should be sent to Turakapalem on Saturdays and Sundays, and 42 medical tests should be conducted on everyone in the village and a health profile should be prepared by Monday.
CM Chandrababu made it clear that it is the responsibility of the medical officials to increase trust among the people. He held an emergency review with the medical and health department officials on the series of deaths due to an undetected disease in Turakapalem, Guntur district for the last two months and the current situation in the village.
The Chief Minister suggested that central medical teams including AIIMS be brought in and if necessary, the help of international doctors be sought. He said that there is a possibility of bacteria spreading through the air we breathe, drinking water, food we eat and soil. He said that safe drinking water should be provided to everyone in Turakapalem.
CM Chandrababu ordered that awareness should be created about a clean environment and food. He said that every patient should be kept under medical supervision and their health profile should be monitored continuously. He said that no new cases should be registered. He said that the situation should be brought under control and confidence should be increased among the locals.
The CM suggested that people suffering from fever should be more careful. Considering the current cases in Turakapalem, medical officials suspected that they had symptoms of 'melioidosis'. Officials explained to the Chief Minister that blood samples have been sent to labs and reports will be received within 72 hours.
He said that they are also examining the possibility of bacteria spreading from livestock as many people depend on livestock. He said that diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cardiac and brain stroke are prevalent in Turakapalem, alcohol consumption is high there, and that they are also checking the air quality as there are many stone crusher.