Rajouri, Jan 25: Authorities in Rajouri district have declared a medical alert and cancelled all leaves of doctors and paramedics following the mysterious deaths of 17 people from Badhaal village over the last six weeks. The victims, including 13 children from three families, reportedly succumbed to a condition affecting the brain and nervous system.
The number of individuals quarantined as a precaution has risen to 230, with close relatives of the victims and others who had contact with the affected families relocated to a heavily secured quarantine centre at the Nursing College in Rajouri.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh stated that initial toxicology reports from a laboratory in Lucknow ruled out infections, viruses, or bacteria as the cause, pointing instead to a toxin. Further investigation into the nature of the toxin and potential foul play is ongoing. "There is a range of toxins being tested, and authorities are also probing the possibility of malicious intent," he added.
Dr Amarjeet Singh Bhatia, Principal of Rajouri Government Medical College Hospital, while addressing a press conference, said that winter vacations for medical staff have also been cancelled. The Jammu and Kashmir government has deployed 10 additional medical students to assist GMC Rajouri amid the crisis.
Currently, three patients are undergoing treatment at GMC Hospital in Jammu and PGI Chandigarh, with their condition under close observation. Four others, including three sisters, were recently hospitalized, with three of them airlifted to Jammu for advanced care.
Prohibitory orders have been imposed in Badhaal village, now declared a containment zone, restricting all public and private gatherings. [KNT]
Comment List