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RAJOURI, JAMMU AND KASHMIR: A sense of fear and grief has engulfed the residents of Badhaal village in Rajouri’s Kotranka sub-division as another child succumbed to a mysterious disease on Tuesday, raising the death toll to 13. The outbreak, which began in December 2024, has claimed the lives of many children and has left the village in panic.
The 13th victim, a child, passed away while undergoing treatment at a local hospital. Symptoms reported among the victims include high fever, excessive sweating, vomiting, and episodes of unconsciousness. Despite medical interventions, the exact cause of the illness remains unknown, with doctors resorting to symptomatic treatment.
The pervasive fear in the village stems from the disease’s widespread nature, affecting multiple families. “Every home is worried about its members. We don’t know who could be next,” said a distressed local resident.
Expert Teams Mobilized
In response to the escalating crisis, specialized teams from the National Institute of Virology Pune, PGI Chandigarh, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and AIIMS Delhi have arrived in Badhaal village. These experts are conducting field studies and collecting samples for laboratory analysis to identify the pathogen responsible.
Dr. Ashutosh Gupta, Principal of Government Medical College Rajouri, stated that initial observations suggest the disease could be viral. However, he emphasized that no definitive conclusions can be made until the final findings are available.
“The involvement of national-level institutions underscores the severity of the situation. Efforts are being made to curb the disease and prevent further loss of life,” said a government official.
State’s Health Machinery on Alert
Senior health officials and doctors from premier hospitals in Jammu City have also visited the affected village to aid local investigations. State Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakina Itoo, is personally overseeing the efforts to identify the cause of the disease and ensure the treatment of those affected.
Local health workers are on high alert, and awareness campaigns are being conducted to educate villagers on preventive measures. Authorities are urging residents to report symptoms promptly and seek medical attention.
Hope Amid Uncertainty
While the mystery surrounding the disease persists, the deployment of specialized teams and the state government’s proactive measures offer a glimmer of hope to the distraught villagers. “We trust the efforts of the experts and pray that they will identify the cause soon,” said another villager.
The tragedy has drawn attention to the need for robust healthcare responses in rural areas, especially in the face of unforeseen outbreaks. As investigations continue, the priority remains to safeguard the lives of those in the affected region and to prevent the further spread of the illness.
