- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Thu, 23 Jan 2025 12:59 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Badhal village of Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir was declared a contaminated zone on January 22, after several mysterious deaths were reported. Despite several precautionary measures, the number of patients falling ill continued to rise with four young women, including three sisters, falling sick due to the mysterious illness spreading rapidly in the region.
In the afternoon, Mohammad Fazal's three nieces were found to be sick due to the same illness that caused the first death in Mohammad Fazal's family on December 7. The three sisters — Nazia Kausar (16), Khalida Begum (18) and Tajim Akhtar (22) — were initially examined by doctors stationed in the village and were later taken to the Rajouri Hospital for primary treatment.
Local MLA Javed Iqbal Choudhary, Principal of GMC Rajouri Dr AS Bhatia, and Medical Superintendent of GMC Associated Hospital Dr Shamim Ahmed decided to transfer the three sisters to PGI Chandigarh. They were subsequently airlifted to Jammu by an Air Force helicopter. Two sisters were admitted to SMGS Hospital, while the third was taken to GMC Jammu. One of the sisters admitted to SMGS Hospital is on a ventilator.
Meanwhile, another young woman, Shabnam Kausar (18), daughter of Jameel Hussain, complained of uneasiness and was admitted to GMC Rajouri.
In the last 24 hours, five residents of the village have fallen ill with a young man found to be in critical condition. He was later referred to PGI Chandigarh. Meanwhile, villagers who came into contact with the sick are being quarantined by the administration at a quarantine centre in the Rajouri Nursing College.
On Wednesday night, 60 people had been brought to the quarantine centre, and the area was sealed with barbed wire under police protection. An inter-ministerial team sent by the Ministry of Home Affairs spent three days visiting the village and collected various samples before leaving for Delhi.
The team will now analyze the samples to understand the cause of these deaths. Additionally, Jammu Zone ADGP Anand Jain and Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar visited the village and held a meeting with officials in Rajouri to assess the situation.
Over the past one-and-a-half months, 17 people, including 13 children, have died in Badhal village, while many others remain ill and hospitalised. The symptoms of the mysterious disease include high fever, difficulty in breathing, and unconsciousness.
Given the situation, the Rajouri District Deputy Commissioner's office has directed officials to ensure 100 single beds, mattresses, a 24/7 team of doctors, CCTV in the kitchen, ambulances, and other necessary facilities required at the quarantine centre.