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.
#WATCH | J&K: In view of the ‘mysterious illness’ in Rajouri’s Badhal village, the village has been declared a containment zone, and the affected families’ homes sealed; a few patients brought to Government Medical College (GMC) in Rajouri.
(Visuals from GMC in Rajouri) pic.twitter.com/8w12gLxul7
— ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2025
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.”
#WATCH | Rajouri, J&K | CFSL (Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Chandigarh) team deployed for investigation as 17 deaths have been reported in Budhal village since December 2024 due to a ‘mysterious illness.’ pic.twitter.com/uOJx0x1A4w
— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2025
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.
#WATCH | Jammu & Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah visits Rajouri’s Badhal village to assess the situation arising due to mysterious deaths and meet the affected families. pic.twitter.com/sKQqAYZe8x
— ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2025
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.
