The situation in Badhaal village of Rajouri district, where a mysterious illness has claimed 17 lives, remains tense as four more people have been admitted to the hospital reportedly with the symptoms of the same health condition.
The administration has since designated the entire village a containment zone. As the death toll keeps rising despite a rigorous investigation by central and local agencies, the cause of these deaths remains unknown, leaving the community in complete distress.
Additionally, experts consisting of top virologists in the country have also struggled to trace out the exact causes of these deaths. However, some investigations pointed out that “a water source used by the community had traces of hazardous neurotoxins.”
Subsequently, the water spring was sealed off by the authorities as a preventive measure.
The first case of death associated with a mysterious illness was reported on December 7, 2024.
Since then, 16 more people have succumbed, taking the official toll to 17, with four more patients, including three siblings, admitted to GMC and later airlifted to Jammu for further observation.
A central team from the Union Home Ministry, along with local health officials, is actively investigating the situation.
Dr A.S. Bhatia from Government Medical College Rajouri said, “A common factor in all cases: involvement of the brain and nervous system damage.” They have so far tested 200 individuals, with test reports being verified and analysed in the top labs across the country.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir's police have also formed a special investigation team (SIT) to explore all possible angles, including the alleged conspiracy angle as the village consists of a mixed population.
Despite interviewing and questioning nearly 100 people, no concrete cause has been identified. The health teams probing the case have started to expand their scope of ongoing investigation.
The administration has since divided the Badhaal village into “three containment zones to prevent the further spread of the disease,” which has become a mystery for experts to solve.
Subsequently, public gatherings are banned, and additional police and health personnel have been deployed for surveillance.
Furthermore, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said “that this mystery will be solved soon" and assured all possible to the affected families.
The authorities urge residents to follow health guidelines and avoid food exchanges until more information is available.
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