Andhra milk contamination: Death toll rises to 13, seven undergoing treatment

Mangalore Today News Network

AP, Mar 12, 2026: The death toll in the suspected milk adulteration incident in East Godavari district has risen to 13, while seven people are currently undergoing treatment at hospitals in Rajamahendravaram, officials said on Thursday.

Health department officials said the cluster of cases was first reported on February 22 after several elderly residents were admitted to hospitals with symptoms such as anuria, vomiting, abdominal pain and acute renal dysfunction requiring dialysis.

Residents of Chowdeswaranagar and Swaroopanagar in the Lalacheruvu area reportedly fell ill after consuming milk suspected to be adulterated and supplied locally.

Officials said strong epidemiological evidence points to milk adulteration as the likely cause, prompting coordinated action by multiple government departments.

Medical tests revealed elevated levels of blood urea and serum creatinine among the affected individuals, indicating possible toxic exposure.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the contaminated milk was supplied to around 106 families by Varalakshmi Milk Dairy in Narasapuram village of Korukonda mandal. Authorities immediately stopped the milk supply after the incident came to light.

Emergency medical camps have been set up in the affected areas, with doctors and ambulance services deployed round the clock, officials said.

Rapid Response Teams comprising the district surveillance officer, physicians, microbiologists, paediatricians, forensic experts, epidemiologists and nephrologists have been formed to manage the situation.

Meanwhile, the Food Safety Department inspected the dairy unit linked to the supply and collected samples of milk, paneer, ghee, drinking water and vinegar for further investigation.

The samples have been sent to laboratories including JNTU Kakinada and VIMTA Labs in Hyderabad for microbial, physio-chemical and toxic adulterant analysis.

Blood and urine samples of the affected individuals have also been sent for detailed toxicological examination.

Police have taken the suspected milk vendor, Addala Ganeswararao (33), a resident of Narasapuram village, into custody and sealed the dairy unit associated with the supply.

Teams from CLUES (Crime Scene Linking Understanding Evidence and Science) and forensic experts inspected the premises, while post-mortem samples were sent to the Regional Forensic Laboratory in Vijayawada.

Police said investigations are under way to trace the distribution network and identify others who may have consumed the contaminated milk.

The Animal Husbandry Department has also formed a team of four veterinary doctors, who collected 41 milk samples along with cattle feed and water samples and sent them to the Veterinary Biological Research Institute in Vijayawada for analysis.

Meanwhile, police have registered a case under Section 194 of the BNSS and Section 174 of the CrPC.