Rajouri/Jammu, Jan 23: An official reported that over 200 people who were in contact with the families affected by a mysterious illness—responsible for the deaths of 17 individuals in Rajouri—have been placed in quarantine as a preventive measure. Four individuals, including three sisters, have been transferred to hospitals, with three of them airlifted to a hospital in Jammu.
Health authorities have identified a common factor among the deceased from Badhaal village: significant brain involvement and damage to the nervous system.
Javaid Iqbal Choudhary, a leader of the National Conference and local MLA, has called for the declaration of a medical emergency to protect the population and control the spread of the mysterious illness.
The quarantined individuals, who include close relatives of the deceased and others who had interactions with them—such as those who took children to the hospital or participated in burials—have been moved to a quarantine center established at a nursing college and the GMC hospital in Rajouri.
A new quarantine facility was set up at the nursing college on Wednesday. Officials have emphasized the importance of this precaution to break the chain of transmission.
Strict security measures have been implemented at the nursing college quarantine center, with fencing and enhanced monitoring in place. Prior to admission, all individuals undergo screening, and arrangements are being made to accommodate those impacted within the nursing college premises at Gujjar Mandi.
“Considering the seriousness of the situation, the government should declare a medical emergency to safeguard the population,” the MLA expressed to reporters.
As of Wednesday, Badhaal village in Rajouri district has been designated a containment zone, with prohibitory orders on public and private gatherings in light of the recent fatalities.
The magistrates have ordered the sealing of homes where the deaths occurred, restricting entry to these premises, even for family members, without official approval.
A secondary containment zone encompasses families that had close contact with those infected, all of whom are under ongoing health surveillance. Additionally, a third zone has been established for all families in Baddal village, where provisions for food and water are being organized, and communal dining has been suspended.
In total, 17 people, including 13 children from the families of Mohammad Fazal, Mohammad Aslam, and Mohammad Rafiq in Baddal village, have succumbed to this mysterious illness over the past six weeks. Official sources report that the condition of Ejaaz, airlifted to PGI Chandigarh on Tuesday night, is stable. He is currently hospitalized in the emergency ICU at PGI Chandigarh while initial investigations are conducted. A definitive diagnosis is pending the arrival of test results.
Three additional patients were airlifted to a hospital by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Jammu and are now under observation, officials confirmed.
A central team is actively investigating the causes of the fatalities, with over 230 samples sent to various institutes for testing. The Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed by police after neurotoxins were discovered in samples from the deceased, continues to explore potential criminal elements related to the case. Authorities indicate that more than 50 individuals have been questioned to date.
Dr. A.S. Bhatia, Principal of Government Medical College Hospital Rajouri, has stated that the primary factor observed in all 17 fatalities is significant brain involvement and damage to the nervous system.
MLA Javaid Iqbal Choudhary criticized the management at the Government Medical College Hospital Jammu for alleged mismanagement in treating patients.
“There is a complete lack of management at the GMC hospital in Jammu. Their failure to save the children is evident. Even though one patient transferred to PGI Chandigarh is stable, others sent to GMC in Jammu are critically ill. We demand their transfer to Chandigarh,” he remarked in a statement to reporters in Rajouri.
The MLA asserted that the hospital’s response has been inadequate, pointing out the absence of air ambulance services for patients, despite repeated requests.
He commended the district administration, police, and health department of Rajouri for their efforts, urging higher authorities to take more decisive action. Choudhary called for the immediate deployment of an air ambulance to Rajouri and the strengthening of healthcare infrastructure in the region. (Agencies)