Indian officials investigate cause of ‘mysterious’ deaths

Authorities are investigating the “mysterious deaths” of more than a dozen people, most of them children, in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

At least 17 people, including 12 children, have been killed in Badhal village in Rajouri district of Jammu since December 7.

The victims initially showed symptoms similar to food poisoning, but suddenly lost consciousness, health officials said.

The village has been declared a containment zone, but authorities have stated that the disease does not appear to be infectious and that there is no fear of an epidemic.

Dr AS Bhatia, head of a local hospital, said the first five patients, including four children, who were admitted had symptoms similar to food poisoning, including vomiting and diarrhea. Others complained of sore throats and breathing problems.

But then everyone would suddenly lose consciousness, he added.

The federal government has ordered an investigation. A special investigation team created by the local administration, consisting of police officers, pathologists and other specialists, has disputed dozens of people so far.

According to initial investigations, the cause could have been the consumption of contaminated water and food. Residents of the town were asked not to drink water from a local spring after a test sample showed it contained traces of pesticides found in testing.

The deaths occurred between December 7 and January 19 and the victims were members of three related families. Six of the children who died were siblingswith ages ranging between seven and 15 years. Their houses have been sealed.

Although doctors have ruled out the possibility of infection, an administrative order says people identified as close contacts of the three families will be shifted to a government hospital in Rajouri, where their condition will be monitored. The order also asks all other residents of Badhal to consume only food and water provided by the administration.

“Authorities will confiscate all edible materials found in infected homes,” the order says.

At least 10 people have been admitted to hospitals in Rajouri, Jammu and Chandigarh city and are undergoing treatment.

Dr Shuja Quadri, epidemiologist at Rajouri Government Medical College, said the disease is localized and they have ruled out the possibility of viral, bacterial, protozoal and zoonotic infections.

Among the second group of patients admitted on December 12, five people, including a one-year-old child, have recovered.

“This was a ray of hope for us,” said Dr. Bhatia.

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