Experts at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) and other reputed establishments on Wednesday confirmed that the residues of pesticides could be the reason for the outbreak of the mysterious disease in Eluru in Andhra Pradesh.

The findings were revealed during a video conference meeting held by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy.

"The experts said a long term in-depth study is required to understand how these residues of pesticides entered the human body," it said.

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has entrusted this responsibility to AIIMS, and the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT).

The CM also instructed officials to conduct tests across West Godavari, including on drinking water samples from all sources in all the districts.

"The samples should be collected systematically and should be analysed with experts. AIIMS and IICT should conduct a deep study in the long term on the causes of the outbreak in Eluru. I have asked the Chief Secretary to prepare an action plan for this," he said.

Reddy also said that organic farming should be encouraged and awareness created on this among farmers.

When the illness broke out, over 300 patients were admitted to the various hospitals in the district. At that time, milk samples were collected at random in Vijayawada. Even water samples were sent for testing to the labs and no water pollution was reported. Blood samples of the patients were also sent to lab and no viral infections were detected. All the patients were tested negative for COVID-19.

(With inputs from IANS)