Exodus of women, children begins in Andhra Pradesh as mysterious fever claims several lives

TIRUPATI: With a mysterious fever claiming several lives in some villages of Varadaiahpalem mandal in Chittoor district, people in those villages have started migrating to other places. Women and children of the six villages are being sent to their relatives’ places. The six villages have witnessed 18 deaths due to the mysterious fever in the last 50 days. Worried about their loved ones falling victim to the fever, the men of Bathala Vallam, Racha Kandriga, Karepakam, Pulivalam, Thonduru and Rachapalem have started sending their women and children to their in-laws’ houses by assuming that they would be safe there.  

According to the villagers, when the mysterious fever broke out two months ago, they alerted the medical staff at the Primary Health Centre and even informed the matter to the DM&HO. However, the response was lukewarm, they said. “Nothing much was done. A medical team from Panduru PHC visited us and a health camp was conducted for a few days even though at least one death due to the mysterious fever was being reported every two or three days,” an elderly person from Racha Kandriga said.

 Another villager wanted to know why doctors were not alerted when deaths not connected to dengue, swine flu and malaria were being reported. A village revenue officer was among the 18 victims of the mysterious fever. Some of the villagers, who did not wish to be named said they sent their families to their relatives’ places out of fear and would bring them back once the situation returns to normal. 

Meanwhile, the Central health team which visited the affected villages collected samples of water and inspected sanitation in the mandal. As the six villagers are located near the Oneness Temple in Varadaiahpalem, the Central team also visited the place and collected blood samples of visiting Russians. Similarly, blood samples were also collected from some people in Sri City. 

Affected villages
Bathala Vallam 
Racha Kandriga 
Karepakam 
Pulivalam 
Thonduru 
Rachapalem