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Jammu, Jan 15 (IANS): In a surprising turn of events, J&K health and medical education minister, Sakina Itoo, announced on Wednesday that no viral or bacterial infection is responsible for the deaths of 13 people in the Rajouri district over the past month. She stated that the exact cause of these fatalities, concentrated in the Badhaal village of Kotranka sub-division, is under police investigation.
Addressing reporters, the minister explained that extensive testing conducted at premier laboratories across the country failed to identify any infectious agent as the cause. “The deaths in three families in Badhaal village since December 7 are of grave concern. However, no viral or bacterial infection has been found. The police and district administration will now undertake a thorough investigation to uncover the mystery behind these fatalities,” she said.
A Cluster of Deaths
The deaths include 13 individuals—11 of them children—occurring in three interrelated families. Eight fatalities were reported in December, with five more in January. The alarming pattern prompted immediate action from the health department, which deployed its teams to screen 3,500 villagers door to door.
Samples from the affected individuals, as well as local water and food sources, were sent for testing to leading institutions, including the ICMR-NIV in Pune, NCDC in Delhi, DRDE in Gwalior, and PGI Chandigarh. “All test results came back negative for any known disease or pathogen,” the minister confirmed.
Investigative Challenges
Minister Itoo emphasized that the timeline of the deaths does not suggest the involvement of a communicable disease. “If it were a contagious illness, the fatalities would not have been confined to three closely related families living in close proximity,” she said.
Adding to the intrigue, health experts hinted at the potential presence of neurotoxins in some samples. The minister acknowledged this possibility but said definitive conclusions would only be drawn once the ongoing inquiry is complete.
Fear and Uncertainty
The mysterious deaths have left Badhaal village and its neighboring areas in a state of panic. Victims reportedly experienced high fever, excessive sweating, episodes of unconsciousness, and eventual death, leaving doctors puzzled. Treatment efforts focused on managing symptoms, but none of the patients survived.
Minister Itoo assured the public that she remains in close contact with the district administration and senior police officials. “The Forensic Sciences Laboratory (FSL) report is awaited, and we are committed to uncovering the truth behind these tragic deaths,” she said.
As the investigation continues, residents of Badhaal village remain gripped by fear, hoping for answers to the mystery that has claimed 13 lives in their community.
