Rajouri: A 25-year-old youth from Badhal village of Rajouri was shifted to PGI Chandigarh on Wednesday night for advanced treatment after falling critically ill, officials said.
While, district magistrate has Imposed Section 163 of BNSS in Badhal to Combat Health Crisis and Whole area has been segmented into three zones and houses of those families affected to be sealed.
Official sources told news agency JKNS that the youth, identified as Aijaz Ahmad, fell ill on Tuesday and was immediately taken to the hospital.
Initially admitted to GMC Rajouri for early treatment, Aijaz was later referred to PGI Chandigarh due to his deteriorating condition, the sources added.
Meanwhile, District Magistrate Rajouri Imposes Section 163 of BNSS in Badhal to Combat Health Crisis.
As per an order issued by district magistrate Rajouri, a copy of which lies with news agency JKNS reads, Containment Strategy and Surveillance Measures for Affected Families and Close Contacts in Badhal, Tehsil Khawas, District Rajouri imposition of Section 163 of BNSS thereof
In view of the recent health situation in the Badhal area and to curb the further spread of infection, the following orders are hereby issued under Section 163 of BNSS, for immediate implementation:
Establishment of Containment Zones, Containment Zone 1, All families where deaths have occurred shall be declared as Containment Zone 1 and the houses of these affected families shall be sealed and entry will be totally restricted for all individuals including their family members, unless otherwise authorized by the designated officers/officials, it reads.
It further reads that, Containment Zone 2, All families identified as close contacts of affected individuals shall be declared as Containment Zone 2.
Immediate shifting of individuals from these families to GMC Rajouri for continuous health monitoring is mandatory, it reads. Containment Zone 3 (All Households of Badhal Village), Staff will be deployed to ensure the continuous monitoring of food consumption.
Order further reads, Police personnel will be stationed to enforce compliance with the consumption of replaced food item under observation. Designated officers will ensure that a log book is maintained, recording every instance of food distribution and consumption.
The entries will be made in the said log book three times a day and each entry must be signed by the monitoring officer for accountability purpose. Prohibition of Gatherings, All public and private gatherings are hereby prohibited within the jurisdiction of these containment zones, in order to prevent further spread of the infection, order reads.
Monitoring of Food and Water, The designated officials (already identified by the administration) shall be responsible for monitoring all meals provided to families in containment zones. It is mandatory for affected families and their close contacts to consume only the food and water provided by the administration. Any other food items available in the household are strictly prohibited for consumption, it reads.
Replacement of all food and water supplies shall be carried out immediately, and all edible materials in the infected households shall be seized by the authorities. This order is issued for the immediate implementation and strict compliance by all concerned departments, including the police, health, and food distribution authorities, reads the order.
It is important to note that 17 people have died in the last 50 days in this area due to an unexplained illness, raising serious concerns among authorities and residents.
Yesterday, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the Badhal area to assess the situation, while police have formed an SIT to probe the matter further.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo has directed stringent containment measures to prevent further fatalities. During a high-level meeting with health, police, and district officials, he emphasized deploying adequate manpower, implementing a robust SOP, and ensuring only tested food and water are supplied.
Moreover, Home Minister Amit Shah has constituted an Inter-Ministerial Team to investigate the issue. The team visited the affected Badhal area on Monday.
The first death was reported on 7th December after a family of six fell ill following attendance at a function, with the total death so far increasing to 17 within around 50 days. (JKNS)
