door-to-door-surveillance-in-rajouri-as-death-toll-rises-to-16

State health authorities have begun conducting door-to-door surveillance in Badhaal village, Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir, following an ‘unidentified’ disease that has resulted in 16 reported fatalities and 38 affected individuals since early December 2024.

ADC Kotranka Dilmir Choudhary stated, “We have been active since December. Health teams are conducting door-to-door surveillance to monitor the situation. The doctor’s team was available the day before the incident. They are still available... but people don’t have to be afraid of this disease.”

The cause of the illness remains unidentified despite extensive efforts by medical experts and organisations such as PGIMER Chandigarh, the National Institute of Virology, and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Medical teams in the district are actively monitoring the situation. Medical experts have urged residents not to panic.

Dr Vinod Kumar (BMO Kotranka) told media persons, “We’re closely monitoring the situation. Reports of illnesses and deaths due to a mysterious disease will be available within 8-10 days. Medical assistance has been provided in 4 wards, and door-to-door counselling and surveillance are ongoing. ICMR has collected samples, and we’re taking daily samples. Doctors are available 24/7, and village surveillance has been ongoing since December 7.”

Dr Ashwani, Child Specialist at GMC Rajouri, added, “From a paediatric perspective, all necessary tests have been conducted. The symptoms and progression of the illness have been observed. The ill children’s condition deteriorates rapidly within 2-3 days, leading to coma and eventually death despite ventilation. These incidents are limited to three families, suggesting a non-infectious cause. Therefore, there is no need for the general public to worry.”

Last week, a 60-year-old woman died due to similar medical complications at Government Medical College (GMC).

Meanwhile, authorities in Rajouri district administration, health department, and police are working in coordination to investigate deaths and provide assistance to the affected families.