Mysterious disease claims 12 lives in Rajouri’s Badhaal village; investigations underway

Mysterious disease in Jammu and Kashmir; 12, including kids, dead so far

A mysterious disease has claimed 12 lives in Badhaal village, located in the Rajouri district of Jammu, as health officials and experts scramble to identify the cause. The latest fatalities include two children who succumbed to the illness on Monday while receiving treatment.

Growing toll and unidentified disease

The village, part of the Kotranka sub-division, has been grappling with the outbreak since December 2024. The recent deaths have brought the toll to 12, with nine of the victims belonging to two related families. Six children from the family of Mohammad Aslam were admitted to the hospital on Saturday after showing symptoms of fever, vomiting, dehydration, and episodic loss of consciousness. One child, 5-year-old Nabeena, passed away on Sunday, followed by two more deaths on Monday.

Previous incidents and parallel tragedies

This outbreak has drawn comparisons to a similar tragedy in December 2024, when eight members of a related family in the same village died under mysterious circumstances. The health department has yet to pinpoint the disease or its origin, leading to growing concerns among the local population.

Expert teams join investigations

Health experts from prominent institutions, including Pune’s National Institute of Virology, PGI Chandigarh, AIIMS Delhi, and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), have visited the village to aid in the investigation. Dr. Ashutosh Gupta, principal of GMC Hospital, suggested a possible viral infection based on preliminary findings but emphasized the need for further studies.

CMO Rajouri, Dr. M L Rana, reported that water sources in the area had been tested and found safe, ruling out contamination. He also noted that only three families, all related, appear to have been affected, while the rest of the village remains unaffected.

Authorities and health departments intensify efforts

District officials are actively monitoring the situation. Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, and Additional DC Dil Mir have personally visited the area. Nearly 272 samples were collected on Monday to identify potential health risks. A team of 50 health department staff, along with Director Health Services Jammu, Dr. Rakesh, is stationed in the village to assess the situation.

Awaiting conclusive findings

While the forensic science laboratory (FSL) report is awaited, authorities remain cautious about drawing conclusions. Investigations are being conducted from multiple angles to determine the source of the outbreak and prevent further casualties.

The village remains on high alert as health officials work to uncover the cause of the illness and ensure the safety of its residents.

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