In response to a rising number of unexplained illnesses in Rajouri’s Badhal village, authorities have declared the area a containment zone, sealing the homes of the affected families. Several patients were transferred to the Government Medical College (GMC) in Rajouri on Thursday for treatment.
Principal of GMC Rajouri, Amarjeet Singh Bhatia, assured that the government is taking necessary steps to prevent further fatalities, emphasizing that no evidence of a viral infection has been found. He stated that healthcare workers in the village have remained unaffected for the past 1.5 months, suggesting that the illness may not be contagious.
“The actions we are taking, such as the containment measures and transferring patients to the medical college, demonstrate that our government, administration, and local MLA are committed to stopping the death toll from rising. There’s no proof to suggest this is a viral outbreak, as healthcare workers have been working in the area without falling ill. While we are fighting an invisible enemy, we are taking every precaution,” Bhatia explained. He clarified that the actions taken are not for quarantine purposes, but rather to move patients to a safer location.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has launched an investigation into the unexplained deaths, with support from health institutions across the country. Rapid Response Teams have been deployed, and water sources in the area are being tested.
On Wednesday, Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed that initial tests conducted by a toxicology laboratory in Lucknow under CSIR showed no evidence of infection, virus, or bacteria.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited Badhal village to reassure the affected citizens. Speaking to reporters, Abdullah stated, “From the moment we received information, the health department, along with other departments, has been working to understand the cause of these incidents. Tests have been conducted, and we’ve concluded that no bacteria or viruses were involved in these deaths.”
He further revealed that the deaths were confined to three families, but the exact cause remains unclear. “We have not yet identified the cause of the 17 deaths. Since it’s not a disease, the police are also involved, and they have formed a team to investigate the matter. A central government team is also present, and we are working together to determine the cause of these deaths,” Abdullah added.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has ordered the formation of an inter-ministerial team, led by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), to investigate the unexplained deaths reported over the past six weeks. The team will work in coordination with local authorities to uncover the root cause of the incidents in Rajouri’s Badhal village.
