BBC Hindi
ANIOfficers are investigating the “mysterious deaths” of over a dozen folks – most of them youngsters – in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
Not less than 17 folks, together with 12 youngsters, have died in Badhal village in Jammu’s Rajouri district since 7 December.
The victims initially displayed signs much like meals poisoning however abruptly misplaced consciousness, well being officers stated.
The village has been declared a containment zone, however officers have said that the illness doesn’t look like infectious, and there’s no worry of an epidemic.
Dr AS Bhatia, the chief of a neighborhood hospital, stated that the primary 5 sufferers – together with 4 youngsters – who have been admitted had signs much like meals poisoning, together with vomiting and diarrhoea. Others complained of sore throats and respiratory issues.
However then, all of them would abruptly lose consciousness, he added.
The federal authorities has ordered an investigation. A particular investigation workforce arrange by the native administration, comprising law enforcement officials, pathologists and different specialists, has questioned dozens of individuals to date.
In keeping with preliminary investigations, consumption of contaminated meals and water might have been the trigger. Residents of the village have been requested to not drink water from a neighborhood spring after a check pattern confirmed it contained traces of exams discovered pesticides.
The deaths occurred between 7 December and 19 January and the victims have been members of three associated households. Six of the youngsters who died have been siblings, with ages starting from seven to fifteen years. Their homes have been sealed.
Although docs have dominated out the potential for an an infection, an administrative order says that individuals recognized as shut contacts of the three households are being shifted to a authorities hospital in Rajouri, the place their situation will probably be monitored. The order additionally asks all different residents of Badhal to solely eat meals and water supplied by the administration.
“All edible supplies within the contaminated households shall be seized by the authorities,” the order stated.
Not less than 10 folks have been admitted to hospitals in Rajouri, Jammu and Chandigarh metropolis and are being handled.
Dr Shuja Quadri, an epidemiologist on the Authorities Medical School in Rajouri, stated that the illness is localised and that they’ve dominated out the potential for viral, bacterial, protozoal and zoonotic infections.
Among the many second cluster of sufferers who have been admitted on 12 December, 5 folks, together with a one-year-old youngster, have recovered.
“This was a ray of hope for us,” Dr Bhatia stated.
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