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‘Spiked’ toddy triggers panic in Vikarabad

Panic as a 55-year-old man dies and about 50 persons develop seizures; samples being tested

By Telangana Today

Published Date - 9 January 2021, 10:28 PM

‘Spiked’ toddy triggers panic in Vikarabad — MLA M Anand, who is also a doctor, attending to a victim on Saturday.

Hyderabad: Panic gripped Vikarabad and its adjoining villages after 48 people, including half a dozen women, developed seizures and fell sick since Thursday night even as a 55-year-old man, Z Krishna Reddy, died allegedly due to the same issue. Consumption of adulterated toddy is suspected to have triggered the issues.

The Prohibition and Excise Department attributed the incident to the withdrawal symptoms after consuming adulterated toddy. While family members of Reddy, a resident of Pendlimadugu, said he died of the same problem in a field, district health officials said the reason behind his death could be ascertained only after getting the autopsy report.

The incident triggered panic in the area as some who complained of ill health behaved abnormally and started shouting while others had vomiting and seizures. Given the severity of the situation, officials rushed the 45 people to the area hospital in Vikarabad while three were admitted to Mahaveer Hospital in Masab Tank, said Vikarabad District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) Sudhakar Shinde.

The assistance of psychiatrists is being taken. According to officials, several people from Nawabpet mandal and other neighbouring mandals complained of seizures, giddiness, nausea and fever and started visiting local hospitals. The number of patients with similar symptoms increased since Saturday morning.

Vikarabad MLA Dr M Anand, along with health officials, visited the affected villages and supervised temporary health camps being set up. Sources said many people in Nawabpet and Vikarabad fell sick after allegedly consuming toddy supplied from Chittigidda village in Nawabpet mandal. Excise officials collected samples from 11 toddy shops in Nawabpet for sending them to its laboratory here.

Sabitha takes stock

Hyderabad: Education Minister P Sabitha Indra Reddy and TRS MP G Ranjith Reddy enquired about the condition of the people who were undergoing treatment at two separate hospitals in Vikarabad and Hyderabad.

Sabitha and Ranjith Reddy spoke to MLAs — K Yadaiah and M Anand — to take stock of the situation. Ranjith Reddy also spoke to the Vikarabad Collector Pausumi Basu and directed her to take necessary steps for their treatment. Anand, who is also a doctor, examined the patients and urged them not to panic.