Since the start of December 2024, an unidentified illness has resulted in 17 deaths and impacted 38 individuals in Rajouri, J&K. The village of Rajouri, due to this 'unknown disease,' has been designated a containment zone, and the homes of the affected families have been sealed.
Amarjit Singh Bhatia, the principal of GMC Rajouri, confirmed the government's initiatives to control the increasing fatalities, stating there is no proof of a viral infection and healthcare workers remain unaffected after 1.5 months. Individuals are being transferred to medical colleges to prevent the disease.
Rajouri principal Amarjit Singh Bhatia said, "Our government, administration, and MLAs are earnestly striving to prevent an increase in the number of deaths. There is no proof that the disease is a virus since healthcare workers have been present there for 1.5 months without anyone falling ill. Panic is unnecessary, but we are combating an unidentified disease, so we must take all necessary measures. This isn't quarantine; we're just moving patients to another place."
The government of Jammu and Kashmir has initiated an investigation into the mysterious deaths with assistance from health institutions nationwide. Rapid response teams have been mobilized, and water sources have also been inspected. Union Minister Jitendra Singh stated that initial tests conducted by the science laboratory in Lucknow, under CSIR, have not detected any signs of infection, virus, or bacteria.
Meanwhile, Omar Abdullah, the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, visited Rajouri to address the concerns of citizens affected by the disease. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that the health department was collaborating with other departments to determine the causes of these incidents. A series of tests were conducted to examine the situation, and it was determined that neither bacteria nor viruses were the cause of these deaths.