<p>Hundreds of people have been treated for mystery illness in a southern Indian town, with one doctor ruling out "mass hysteria" at a time nerves are already frayed because of the coronavirus.</p>.<p>The government rushed medical experts to Eluru in Andhra Pradesh state to investigate the illness, which first appeared Saturday causing seizures, nausea and chronic pain.</p>.<p>Officials said nearly 500 people have been treated -- with most swiftly recovering -- but the death of a 45-year-old man at the weekend was attributed to the mystery disease.</p>.<p>India is already in grip of coronavirus with the world's second-highest number of cases -- and soon expected to pass 10 million.</p>.<p>"Some people are saying that it is mass hysteria but it is not," said A.S. Ram, a senior doctor at Eluru government hospital.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/south/organochlorine-substances-suspected-to-have-triggered-mystery-disease-in-andhra-924640.html">Organochlorine substances suspected to have triggered mystery disease in Andhra</a></strong></p>.<p>He said most victims had suffered genuine symptoms, but "we are unable to diagnose what is causing it".</p>.<p>Other officials pinpointed a possible role of chemical additives in pesticides, while residents have highlighted a problem with garbage and feral pigs.</p>.<p>They released a report on Monday which said symptoms included "epilepsy for 3-5 minutes, forgetfulness, anxiety, vomiting, headache and back pain."</p>.<p>The government has sent doctors from the National Institute of Virology, National Centre for Disease Control and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences have been sent to investigate.</p>.<p>The team was collecting samples of edible oil, rice, blood and urine for analysis.</p>.<p>"Most of the patients are coming in with minor head injuries or a black eye as they collapsed suddenly with the seizure," Ram said.</p>.<p>"But within one or two hours most of them are fine."</p>.<p>Police constable Kiran Kumar -- who collapsed while on duty Monday -- said he had been left "scared" after being semi-conscious for more than two hours.</p>.<p>"My colleagues told me, I shouted something and collapsed. I injured my right shoulder due to falling on the road."</p>.<p>According to district officials, the illness is not spread person-to-person.</p>.<p>They released a report on Monday which said symptoms included "epilepsy for 3-5 minutes, forgetfulness, anxiety, vomiting, headache and back pain".</p>
<p>Hundreds of people have been treated for mystery illness in a southern Indian town, with one doctor ruling out "mass hysteria" at a time nerves are already frayed because of the coronavirus.</p>.<p>The government rushed medical experts to Eluru in Andhra Pradesh state to investigate the illness, which first appeared Saturday causing seizures, nausea and chronic pain.</p>.<p>Officials said nearly 500 people have been treated -- with most swiftly recovering -- but the death of a 45-year-old man at the weekend was attributed to the mystery disease.</p>.<p>India is already in grip of coronavirus with the world's second-highest number of cases -- and soon expected to pass 10 million.</p>.<p>"Some people are saying that it is mass hysteria but it is not," said A.S. Ram, a senior doctor at Eluru government hospital.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/south/organochlorine-substances-suspected-to-have-triggered-mystery-disease-in-andhra-924640.html">Organochlorine substances suspected to have triggered mystery disease in Andhra</a></strong></p>.<p>He said most victims had suffered genuine symptoms, but "we are unable to diagnose what is causing it".</p>.<p>Other officials pinpointed a possible role of chemical additives in pesticides, while residents have highlighted a problem with garbage and feral pigs.</p>.<p>They released a report on Monday which said symptoms included "epilepsy for 3-5 minutes, forgetfulness, anxiety, vomiting, headache and back pain."</p>.<p>The government has sent doctors from the National Institute of Virology, National Centre for Disease Control and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences have been sent to investigate.</p>.<p>The team was collecting samples of edible oil, rice, blood and urine for analysis.</p>.<p>"Most of the patients are coming in with minor head injuries or a black eye as they collapsed suddenly with the seizure," Ram said.</p>.<p>"But within one or two hours most of them are fine."</p>.<p>Police constable Kiran Kumar -- who collapsed while on duty Monday -- said he had been left "scared" after being semi-conscious for more than two hours.</p>.<p>"My colleagues told me, I shouted something and collapsed. I injured my right shoulder due to falling on the road."</p>.<p>According to district officials, the illness is not spread person-to-person.</p>.<p>They released a report on Monday which said symptoms included "epilepsy for 3-5 minutes, forgetfulness, anxiety, vomiting, headache and back pain".</p>