Childrens succumbing to disease have attended function, All concerned including Secretary Health, Directors, HODs, DIG, DC, SSP monitoring situation; some tests still pending; disease outbreak remains unknown, says Health Minister Sakina Itoo; 272 samples collected so far; no exact details on viral infection yet; teams from Pune assist: Says officials
Rajouri: A mysterious disease has claimed 14 lives in the Badhaal area of Rajouri district, leaving the community in shock, while several others are currently undergoing treatment.
The most recent death was reported this evening when 6-year-old Safina Kousar, a resident of Badhaal, Rajouri, succumbed to this disease.
Yesterday, on 13th January, Monday, 62-year-old Mohd Yousaf, maternal uncle of Mohd Aslam, succumbed to the disease at GMC Rajouri.
The first incident occurred on December 7, 2024, when five members of a family lost their lives. The deceased included Fazal Hussain, son of Nazam Din, and his children—Rabia Kouser, Ruksaar Ahmed, Raftaar Ahmed, and Farmana Kouser.
On December 12, 2024, another family experienced four deaths. Nazia Kouser, daughter of Mohd Rafiq, died at home, while Ishtiaq Ahmed and Ishfaq Ahmed, sons of Mohd Rafiq, succumbed in Jammu Hospital. Mohd Rafiq’s wife also died during treatment at GMC Rajouri.
Most recently, on January 12, 2025, three children from another family—Nabeena Kouser (8), Mohd Maroof (8), and Zahoor Ahmed (14), children of Mohd Aslam—passed away in Jammu Hospital. Three sisters from the same family, Yasmeen Akther (16), Safina Kouser (12), and Zabina Kouser (10), are currently undergoing treatment in Jammu Hospital.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the mysterious disease, despite extensive sampling and investigations. Expert teams from Pune have been deployed to the region to assist in identifying the root cause.
Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, is personally monitoring the situation to ensure timely intervention and mitigation. ADC Kotranka, Dil Mir, visited the affected area to oversee the ongoing efforts and provide on-ground support.
Under the directions of the district administration, aggressive contact tracing and sampling by the Health Department teams are being carried out. A total of 272 samples were collected today to identify potential health risks. Food and water samples were also collected to ensure the safety of essential supplies in the region.
A dedicated team of the Health Department, led by Director Health Jammu, Dr. Rakesh Mangotra, and accompanied by Chief Medical Officer Rajouri, Dr. Manohar Rana, is stationed at Kandi Kotranka to oversee the operations. A mobile medical unit and ambulance are on standby for any emergent needs.
After the December deaths, various teams of experts from Pune’s National Institute of Virology, PGI Chandigarh, AIIMS Delhi, and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Delhi, had also visited the village to assist in the investigations.
Health Minister Sakina Masood Itoo, speaking to media persons regarding the mysterious disease outbreak as per news agency JKNS, said that while some deaths were reported in December, the situation had been under control at the time. However, the current outbreak’s cause remains unknown.
She said that a few days ago, during a function attended by several families, 6-7 children fell ill. Some of them were immediately rushed to GMC Rajouri, while others were shifted to GMC Jammu. Unfortunately, over the past few days, some of the affected children have succumbed to the illness.
“I am in constant contact with all medical teams, including directors, HODs, medical superintendents, DDCs, DCs, and SSPs. They are actively working on the situation. I have also directed the Health Secretary to visit the area and monitor developments personally,” she said.
Sakina said that samples taken so far have not yielded conclusive results, with reports coming back negative. Some test results are still pending, and the public will be informed through the media once the findings are available, she said.
DIG Rajouri-Poonch, Tejinder Singh, Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, and Senior Superintendent of Police, Gaurav Sikarwar, visited Badhaal to assess the prevailing ground situation and ensure immediate support to the community.
As part of the relief measures, the DC Rajouri deployed ambulances, health teams, and ASHA workers to provide essential medical assistance to the residents. Furthermore, other departments have been activated to ensure seamless coordination and cooperation with the general public.
Samples have been collected from ill patients and investigations have been initiated to determine the cause of the ailments. The administration is closely monitoring the situation and will take necessary action based on the outcome of the investigations. The general public is advised not to panic and to follow any advisories issued by the authorities.
It is pertinent to mention that, apart from health teams, the police have also started a fresh investigation into this matter.
During the visit, the Deputy Commissioner interacted with the locals to understand their immediate concerns and emphasized the importance of timely intervention and joint departmental efforts to address their needs. SSP Gaurav Sikarwar assured the residents of enhanced security measures and prompt action on any emergent issues.
The district administration remains committed to ensuring the safety, health, and welfare of the residents of Badhaal. All necessary steps are being taken to address their concerns and provide comprehensive support.
For any health-related concerns, the public is encouraged to reach out to the district control room or local health authorities. (JKNS)
