CKDu kidney disease rises among farmers in India

A rising incidence of Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Aetiology (CKDu) among farmers and manual laborers has triggered concerns across several Indian states, including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health has recommended that the central government conduct a comprehensive investigation and establish a rigorous surveillance network to address the mystery illness.

While the exact causes remain unknown, researchers are investigating potential links to extreme heat exposure and the use of pesticides. In Karnataka, the Raichur district has emerged as a significant cluster for the disease. Similar patterns of kidney failure have been reported in states such as Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Telangana. The phenomenon mirrors historical cases seen in Central America and Sri Lanka, where agricultural workers were heavily affected.