Jammu, January 14:
The mystery of deaths under suspicious circumstances continues in Baddal village of Rajouri district. In 37 days, 13 people including ten children of three families have died so far. All of them suffered from fever, vomiting, dizziness, sore throat and other medical problems. Among these, there were many deceased who were completely fine for the first few days after falling ill, but later they suddenly died.
Initial reports said no virus was found in these cases. But overall health agencies across the country have not been able to reach any conclusion about the cause of death. The series of suspicious deaths started in Baddal area from December 8.
So far, five people including four children and their father from one family. After the deaths under suspicious circumstances, health screening of more than 4 thousand people from the affected and surrounding areas was done.
Among these, 28 people were found suspicious, who had more symptoms. Seven dead people were also included in these. In these cases, more than two hundred samples of people, animals, natural water sources and food items were taken from the affected area. A senior official of the health department said that the primary reports have not confirmed the presence of any virus. It is suspected that some poisonous chemical entered the bodies of the dead, which caused their death.
Experts from NCDC, ECMR, NIV, PGIMER Chandigarh etc. had arrived to investigate the deaths under suspicious circumstances. Apart from this, experts from the Health and Medical Education Department also camped in Baddal for several days. Health officials say that they are now waiting for the viscera report of the post-mortem, only after which the real cause of death can be known. However, no health official is ready to speak openly.
