Warangal: At least 20 deaths in less than two months in Jangalapally of Mulugu district have left the locals scared. All the deceased are said to have suffered from similar symptoms.
Gunda Murali of Jangalapally told Deccan Chronicle that most of the deceased were below 55 years of age, while four to five were below 30. Many of them suffered from high fever and went for medical tests to private hospitals in Hanamkonda and Warangal. All of them died within three to four days.
Their family members said the victims suffered from kidney and liver problems. People believed that ‘Keedu’ had affected the village, while others thought some spirits (dayyalu) were roaming in the area, he added.
Jangalapally village is around 8 km from the district headquarters of Mulugu and is surrounded by hillocks.
Health official Sampath Kumar, speaking to Deccan Chronicle, said that the deaths occurred due to various reasons. Some died from complications related to dialysis, others due to heart-related problems, and some during deliveries.
An action plan has been prepared to conduct medical camps in the village with a team of specialist doctors to test people suffering from various health complications, he added.
Lakshmaiah, an elderly resident, said that over the past 11 years, about 40 to 50 people had died similarly. He mentioned that these deaths occurred following the installation of ‘Bodrai’ (a ritual followed in villages) which was not done as per Vaastu. After conducting shanti puja, the deaths ceased, he added.
Some of the village elders called a pujari to determine the reason for the serial deaths and decided to conduct a shanti puja. They also decided to leave the village for one day to appease the gods (Baiti Vantalu).
Advocate M. Vinay Kumar, husband of former village sarpanch Anitha Rani, told Deccan Chronicle that when villagers suffer from fever, they approach local doctors and receive only first aid. They never undergo proper diagnosis.
However, the issue has been brought to the attention of medical officials, who are planning to set up a camp in the village on Monday, he added.
