Published Feb 23, 2026 | 11:38 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 23, 2026 | 1:23 PM
Representational image. Credit: iStock
Synopsis: Four elderly residents of Rajamahendravaram, Andhra Pradesh, died and at least 12 others were hospitalised with acute kidney failure, suspected from contaminated milk supplied by a local trader. Victims reported bitter-tasting milk before falling ill. Authorities detained the vendor, collected samples for forensic tests, and launched a probe. Patients remain under treatment as officials monitor the situation closely.
Four elderly people died, and at least 12 others were hospitalised after developing symptoms of acute kidney failure, suspected to be linked to the consumption of contaminated milk in parts of Andhra Pradesh’s Rajamahendravaram in East Godavari district.
The victims died while undergoing treatment at the Government General Hospital in Kakinada. Most of the other affected persons, all aged above 60, are residents of Chowdeeswar Nagar, Swaroop Nagar and Diwancheruvu areas near Lalacheruvu.
The deceased have been identified as Bassetti Kanakadurga (76), Tadi Krishna Veni (85), N Seshagiri Rao (72) and Radha Krishnamurthy (74), all residents of Lalacheruvu Chowdeshwarinagar. They died on the morning of Monday, 23 February, while undergoing treatment.
More than 14 people from the same locality have fallen ill since 15 February. Many were admitted to private hospitals in Swaroop Nagar, Chowdeshwarinagar and Diwan Cheruvu after developing symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal bloating and anuria, a condition marked by failure to pass urine.
Doctors treating the patients reportedly confirmed kidney damage through blood tests. At present, over a dozen patients remain under treatment, with several in intensive care and at least four stated to be in critical condition.
Health officials conducted house-to-house surveys in Lalacheruvu and surrounding areas after multiple cases surfaced within a short span. Health authorities said the affected families had consumed boiled cow milk supplied fresh every morning from 15 February, coinciding with Shivaratri.
Several residents alleged that the milk and curd tasted unusually bitter on the day of supply. Within 24 to 48 hours, elderly consumers began experiencing symptoms, family members claimed. Most of those hospitalised are above 60 years of age.
Acting on the directions of East Godavari District Collector K Keerthi Chekuri, teams from the Medical and Health Department and the municipal administration launched a detailed inquiry.
Authorities maintained that the situation is under close monitoring and urged the public to remain calm while the investigation into the cause of the kidney failure cluster continues.
The incident came to light after a private hospital alerted the district administration about multiple elderly patients admitted with anuria, a condition marked by near-total absence of urine output, indicating possible kidney failure. Four patients were initially admitted to KIMS hospital, prompting further scrutiny.
District Medical and Health Officer K Venkateswara Rao said preliminary findings point towards acute renal failure rather than an infectious disease.
“A postmortem will be conducted to identify the exact cause of death. Blood samples are being collected from those who consumed the milk,” officials said.
Field-level inquiries revealed that all affected individuals had consumed milk supplied by a trader from Korukonda mandal. The trader has been taken into police custody for questioning.
East Godavari District Collector K Keerthi Chekuri ordered a comprehensive probe and constituted a Rapid Response Team to investigate the incident. Food, water and stool samples have been collected and sent for laboratory and forensic analysis.
The food safety department has been directed to inspect the source of the milk and initiate action under the Food Safety and Standards Act if violations are confirmed.
In a late-night release on Sunday, Health and Family Welfare Commissioner G Veerapandian said the department was on alert and closely monitoring the situation. Rapid Response Teams were conducting door-to-door field surveys in the affected areas, while special medical camps were set up to screen residents.
Officials said no new cases have been reported so far, and the public health situation remains stable. The condition of the hospitalised patients is stated to be stable.
Rajamahendravaram MP D Purandeswari and Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh reviewed the situation with district officials and called for strict action if adulteration or contamination is established. They also advised residents to remain vigilant and report any symptoms immediately.
The district administration said it is awaiting laboratory reports to determine whether milk contamination or adulteration triggered the cluster of acute renal failure cases.
(With inputs from Sumit Jha)
