Visakhapatnam: A rapid response team comprising district health officials and a team of doctors, after investigating kidney cases at Maduthuru village of Atchutapuram mandal in the city’s outskirts for over a week ago, couldn’t find any epidemic-like situation nor detect anything unusual.However, the team has sent water samples from the village for chemical analysis. A total of 26 cases were identified, out of which eight patients are already undergoing treatment for kidney-related ailments. The remaining were found to be suffering from hypertension and diabetes. Dr L Kalyanprasad, epidemiologist from the district medical and health office, said: “We conducted serum creatinine test, blood tests and other screening, collected samples and sent them to laboratories for testing. Water samples were collected too for chemical analysis. Eight people were already under treatment for renal disease and 16 were found to be suffering from hypertension. There were a few diabetes cases too. We are yet to receive the water analysis report.”“The village has a population of around 2,000. Having 8-10 kidney patients is not anything unusual. Most of the populace are agricultural labourers. They are addicted to liquor and also suffer from joint pain. They also take painkillers frequently, which can be one of the causes for developing kidney ailment. Hypertension and diabetes also exist among the people and these lifestyle diseases can affect kidneys later in life. We also surmise that they may be spraying pesticides on land without taking protection and these chemicals can also indirectly affect the kidneys,” added Dr Kalyanprasad.A response team comprising a physician, microbiologist, nephrologist and paediatrician studied the cases and are preparing a report to be sent to the district collector soon.

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