Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 21: Health authorities are grappling with a mysterious illness that has claimed the lives of eight people, including seven children, in the Badhaal village of Kotranka tehsil in Rajouri district. Despite visits from expert teams, the cause of these deaths remains undetermined.
Specialists from the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune; the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI), Chandigarh; and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Delhi, have visited Badhaal and its neighboring areas to collect samples.
Over 100 people were tested, and the experts also visited Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri and Kotranka Hospital, where some of the victims were admitted.
To expedite testing and diagnosis, a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) mobile laboratory has been dispatched to Rajouri. The Union Territory administration has also constituted a central team of experts to assist in the investigation.
The crisis began on December 8, when seven-year-old Nazia Kousar from Badhaal village died after showing symptoms consistent with food poisoni To expedite testing and diagnosis, a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) mobile laboratory has been dispatched to Rajouri.
The J&K administration has also constituted a central team of experts to assist in the investigation.
The crisis began on December 8, when 7-yr-old Nazia Kousar from Badhaal village died after showing symptoms consistent with food poisoning.
Authorities are focusing on the possibility of food poisoning or an unknown infectious agent.
The tragedy deepened when their 12-year-old sister, Ruksar, died three days later while receiving treatment in Jammu. Earlier, their father Fazal Hussain and three siblings—Rabia Kousar (15), Farmana Kousar (12), and Rafter Ahmad (4)—had also died under similar circumstances on December 8.
The latest victim, Ashfaq Ahmed (11), passed away after battling the illness for six days at GMC Jammu.
Sources indicate that the expert teams will submit their findings to the Principal of Government Medical College Jammu and senior health department officials. Authorities are focusing on the possibility of food poisoning or an unknown infectious agent.
Residents remain on edge as health officials work to restore confidence and identify the source of the mysterious illness. For now, the cause of these tragic deaths remains unknown, and further testing and analysis are underway. | 