Rajouri (Jammu and Kashmir) [India]: A mysterious illness has claimed 17 lives in Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir, sparking an urgent investigation by health authorities. Medical teams have been deployed to the region to examine the cause of the illness, which appears to affect the brain and nervous system.
Dr. Amarjeet Singh Bhatia, Principal of Government Medical College Rajouri, revealed that the common factor in the fatalities is neurological damage, particularly to the brain. “A common factor in all the deaths is the involvement of the brain and damage to the nervous system,” Dr. Bhatia explained. He also shared encouraging news about the recovery of some patients, stating, “Out of 9 patients that were admitted to GMC Rajouri, 5 recovered. We have conducted preventive CT scans also, but recovery becomes tough once the brain gets involved.”
Despite the symptoms pointing towards a serious neurological condition, authorities have ruled out bacterial and viral infections as potential causes. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, visited Rajouri’s Badhal area to reassure the public and emphasized that the health department, along with other agencies, is working on identifying the illness’s origin.
“Tests were done, and we reached the conclusion that there were no bacteria or viruses that caused those deaths,” CM Abdullah stated. He added that all the deaths occurred in three families, but the exact cause remains unidentified.
An inter-ministerial team, led by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has been formed to investigate the causes of the unexplained deaths. The team includes forensic experts from Chandigarh and Lucknow. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also ordered the investigation into the matter, with local police working in coordination with central authorities to uncover the cause.
“We are yet to find the reason behind 17 deaths… Since it’s not a disease, police are also involved in it and have formed a team to investigate the matter,” CM Abdullah noted.
Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution, advising them not to exchange food items and take preventive measures while the investigation continues.