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Is There A Mystery Illness Killing People In J&K? Here’s What We Know
Since December 7, a small village in Jammu & Kashmir’s Rajouri district has been struck with a strange, deadly mystery illness. At least 17 people, including 13 children and a pregnant woman, have died after showing symptoms like fever, nausea, intense sweating, and loss of consciousness. Shockingly, all of them succumbed within days of being admitted to hospitals.
So, what’s causing this tragedy?
No Virus, No Bacteria—Could It Be Toxins?
The mysterious illness has baffled experts, but lab reports have ruled out bacterial, viral, protozoan, or zoonotic infections. According to Union Minister Jitendra Singh, initial tests conducted at a toxicology lab in Lucknow under CSIR have pointed to the presence of a toxin.
Singh explained, “The tests show no infection, virus, or bacteria—it’s likely a toxin. Now, further analysis is underway to figure out exactly what kind of toxin we’re dealing with.”
Food Toxins Under the Scanner
Dr. Shuja Qadri, a senior epidemiologist from GMC Rajouri, confirmed that the deaths aren’t due to any communicable disease. Investigations have now narrowed down to identifying potential toxins, especially in food items.
“Based on our findings, this is not caused by bacteria, viruses, or other common agents. The main suspect is toxins—possibly ingested through food or even injections,” Qadri said during a press briefing.
Over 200 food samples have been sent to labs across India to identify the specific neurotoxin. Results are expected within 7–10 days, which should help authorities implement measures to prevent further fatalities.
Four More Fall Ill in J&K’s Mysterious Disease Outbreak
The situation in Badhal village, Rajouri district, is getting worse as four more people, including three sisters, have been hospitalised in the last 48 hours. Authorities are now taking drastic containment measures to curb the spread of the mysterious illness.
Sisters Rushed to Chandigarh
The three sisters, aged 16, 18, and 23, were shifted from their home in Badhal to Government Medical College (GMC), Rajouri, on Wednesday after their health deteriorated rapidly. Eyewitnesses reported that two of the sisters were struggling to breathe, while the third had to be carried on a stretcher as she couldn’t walk.
By evening, the sisters were rushed to PGI Chandigarh for advanced treatment. A 24-year-old male relative, also critically ill, had been referred to the same hospital a day earlier. All four patients belong to families that have already lost members to this baffling illness.
Containment Zones and Sealed Houses
In response to the worsening crisis, the District Magistrate of Rajouri invoked Section 163 of the BNSS to enforce strict containment measures.
- Houses sealed: Homes of families that have experienced fatalities have been designated as “Containment Zone 1,” with strict restrictions on entry, even for family members, unless specifically authorised.
- Quarantine facility: Affected families are being relocated to the Government Nursing College (GNC) in Rajouri, which has been set up as a 24/7 quarantine facility with round-the-clock doctor support, CCTV monitoring, and police security.
- Containment zones: The village is now divided into three zones—one for families with fatalities, and two for those who may have been in contact with the affected individuals.
Central Team and Forensic Investigations
A team from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Chandigarh visited Badhal on Wednesday, joining forensic and medical experts from Lucknow and the Home Ministry who are already on-site.
Dr. Amarjeet Singh Bhatia, Principal of GMC Rajouri, highlighted the urgency of identifying the disease:
“A common factor in all cases is brain involvement and damage to the nervous system. Out of nine patients admitted here, five have recovered. Preventive CT scans are being conducted, but once the illness reaches the brain, recovery becomes difficult. We’re working to raise awareness among villagers, advising them not to share food items.”
Hope for Answers Soon
Over 200 samples have been sent to top institutes for analysis. The central inter-ministerial team, led by a senior officer from the Ministry of Home Affairs, has been stationed in Rajouri since January 19 to oversee investigations.
While the cause of this illness remains a mystery, the focus on toxins and its neurological impact has narrowed the scope of inquiry. For now, the villagers and affected families are holding on to hope as experts race against time to unravel the mystery.
Is This Accidental or Deliberate?
While the focus remains on identifying the toxin, the question is – could this be a tragic accident, or is there something more sinister at play? Police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) after detecting neurotoxins in samples from the deceased.
So far, officials have assured the public that this isn’t a communicable disease and poses no widespread health risk. However, the mystery surrounding these deaths continues to haunt the village of Badhal, where residents are desperate for answers.