A remote village in Jammu is under investigation as health officials report 17 unexplained deaths, including 12 children. Initial assessments suggest potential contamination from local water sources, leading to a containment order and necessary medical evaluations.
Investigation Launched into 17 Mysterious Deaths in Jammu Village
Investigation Launched into 17 Mysterious Deaths in Jammu Village
Health authorities in Jammu and Kashmir are probing the sudden deaths of 17 villagers, predominantly children, amid concerns of contaminated food and water.
Officials are investigating the perplexing deaths of 17 people in a village in Jammu and Kashmir, where most fatalities are children. The alarming incidents, occurring in the village of Badhal in Jammu's Rajouri district between December 7 and January 19, have raised serious concerns among health officials.
The initial wave of victims exhibited symptoms consistent with food poisoning, such as vomiting and diarrhea, before abruptly losing consciousness, according to local health chief Dr. AS Bhatia. The investigation has yet to identify an infectious cause, leading officials to advise the village residents against using the local spring, which has tested positive for pesticide contamination.
The federal government has intervened, establishing a special investigation team that includes police officers and medical specialists, who have been questioning local families. A total of 17 deaths, including that of six siblings aged between seven and 15 years, have been confirmed among three related households.
In response to the health crisis, the village has been designated a containment zone, and the local administration has prohibited residents from consuming food and water outside government-provided supplies. Additionally, close contacts of the deceased families are being monitored at a hospital in Rajouri.
Dr. Shuja Quadri from the Government Medical College in Rajouri noted that they have ruled out various types of infections, including viral and bacterial. While the community grapples with the tragedy, there is some relief as several children from a second cluster of patients have shown signs of recovery.
This tragic event underscores the urgent need for thorough investigation into public health safety within the region.
