Six months after a mysterious sickness claimed the lives of 17 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, no less than 35 villagers have as soon as once more fallen sick beneath related circumstances.
This time, the outbreak has hit Kotliparran village in Manjakot tehsil, triggering fears of one other public well being disaster. The newest incident has revived painful reminiscences of the Badhaal tragedy, the place 17 civilians together with 13 kids and 4 adults, from three associated households died inside 50 days between December 2024 and January 2025, after displaying unexplained signs.
Residence Minister Amit Shah had ordered the structure of a high-level inter-ministerial crew to research the deaths. The crew, which arrived in Rajouri in January, included consultants from high medical establishments throughout the nation. Their mandate was to work alongside the native administration, determine the reason for the deaths, and supply speedy reduction to the affected households.
Preliminary investigations and samples urged the sickness was not brought on by any communicable bacterial or viral illness. The authorities declared Badhaal village a containment zone, moved residents to a quarantine facility and solely allowed them to return after greater than a month.
Now, recent circumstances have emerged in Kotliparran village, the place 35 residents have been hospitalised in latest days. 4 of the extra critical circumstances have been referred to the Authorities Medical School (GMC) in Rajouri, whereas the remaining are secure, well being officers confirmed.
The affected villagers have proven signs akin to abdomen ache, fever, dehydration, and diarrhoea. Medical doctors suspect a doable outbreak of acute gastroenteritis, more than likely brought on by contaminated consuming water. A crew from GMC Rajouri has collected water samples from three native wells, which have since been sealed by the district administration pending check outcomes.
Well being officers have assured residents that each one mandatory steps are being taken to keep away from a repeat of the Badhaal incident. The general public has been suggested to keep away from utilizing native water sources till additional discover, and authorities are making ready to launch consciousness campaigns on protected water consumption.
