Jammu, January 17:
A mysterious disease has claimed the lives of 16 people in Baddal village of Rajouri district, leaving the authorities in a state of panic. Even after more than two months, the cause of the deaths is yet to be ascertained. The latest death in the series was that of Jatti Begum (60) on Friday. The condition of another girl remains critical due to the disease. Since December, 16 members of three families have lost their lives, of which seven deaths have occurred since Sunday.
The authorities have sealed three houses of the affected families. And shifted 21 close relatives to government accommodation to keep them under strict surveillance. Meanwhile, an 11-member SIT headed by Baddal Superintendent of Police (Operations) Wajahat Hussain has been formed to probe the deaths.
Jatti Begum’s husband Mohammad Yusuf died in the hospital three days ago. Mohammad Aslam’s 15-year-old daughter Yasmin Kausar is in critical condition at SMGS Hospital in Jammu. Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo said that the situation is being monitored closely. He said so far there is no evidence of any viral, bacterial or fungal infection.
The investigation team has begun investigating the spot, and villagers are being questioned. The central team, which includes experts from health and testing institutes, is present in the village. Virology and toxicological analysis conducted by the Central Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-IITR) has found toxins in several biological samples.
In the previous incidents, on December 7, seven members of a family fell ill after a community meal, of which five died. On December 12, another family was affected, in which three people died. These incidents are not believed to be related to any infectious disease.
