In a span of a month since May 29, 16 tribal people have died due to suspected food poisoning in the remote village of Chaparai in Y Ramavaram mandal of East Godavari district as per a report in the New Indian Express.
After suffering from food poisoning, the tribal people contracted severe viral fever and seasonal diseases. Following this, 16 of the tribal people perished.
Around 32 people have been admitted to the government hospital in Rampachidavaram and the primary health centre (PHC) at Maradumilli. Many of them are said to be critical.
Doctors plan to shift some of the critical patients to Vijayawada.
Even though medical teams had been rushed to the spot, on Saturday night itself, the overnight downpour had left the roads in a bad state, due to which they were able to reach only the next morning, the report says.
“Those needing immediate treatment were shifted to Rampachodavaram. The teams are monitoring the situation,” East Godavari Collector Kartikeya Mishra said.
The District Medical Health Officer and the Integrated Tribal Development Agency project officer accompanied by two teams of health and medical personnel were rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation, the Collector told reporters.
There was a wedding feast at the village and the guests fell ill after eating the food that was served, the Collector said.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu held a teleconference with ministers and officials concerned, on coming to know of the incident, the report adds.
An ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh has been announced by the CM for the victims of the tragedy.
The Deputy CM Chinna Rajappa personally visited and spoke with the victims.
Home minister Nimmakayala Chinna Rajappa visited Rampachodavaram and Finance minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu is coordinating the medical teams at the spot.
The Collector has been ordered to submit a report after conducting an enquiry into the incident.