Mystery Illness in Budhal, Rajouri: Quarantine and Containment Zones established.

||Black and White Digital News||

||Parvinder Singh January 24,2025 ||

Rajouri/Jammu: A cloud of fear and uncertainty has enveloped Rajouri district as a mysterious illness claimed the lives of 17 individuals, including 13 children, in Budhaal village over the past month and a half. In a bid to contain the spread of the unknown ailment, over 200 individuals who came in contact with the affected families have been moved to quarantine centres, officials said on Thursday.

The victims, all from the families of Mohammad Fazal, Mohammad Aslam, and Mohammad Rafiq, exhibited neurological symptoms marked by brain involvement and nervous system damage, health experts revealed. Four individuals, including three sisters, have been hospitalized, with three airlifted to Jammu for treatment. Among them, Ejaaz, airlifted to PGI Chandigarh, remains in stable condition under intensive care, officials confirmed.

A medical emergency has been demanded by local MLA and National Conference (NC) leader Javaid Iqbal Choudhary, who lambasted the handling of the situation. “The government must declare a medical emergency to save lives and contain this mysterious illness. There is total mismanagement at GMC Jammu, where patients’ lives are at risk. We demand all critical patients be shifted to Chandigarh immediately,” he asserted during a press briefing in Rajouri.

Quarantine Measures and Containment Zones:

In an unprecedented response, the district administration has converted the nursing college and GMC Hospital in Rajouri into quarantine centres. Close relatives of the deceased and those who participated in funerals or hospital visits have been relocated to break the chain of transmission. The quarantine facilities are under tight security, with fencing and constant monitoring, officials stated.

Budhaal village has been declared a containment zone, with a three-tier strategy implemented:

1. Primary Zone: Homes of the deceased have been sealed, barring entry without official permission.

2. Secondary Zone: Close contacts of the deceased are under strict health surveillance.

3. Third Zone: The entire village, where communal dining has been prohibited and provisions for food and water are being organized.

Investigations and Testing:

A central investigation team is working alongside local authorities to determine the cause of the illness. Over 230 samples have been dispatched to top laboratories, with preliminary findings pointing to the presence of neurotoxins in some cases. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) established by the police has questioned more than 50 individuals, exploring potential criminal angles.

Dr. A. S. Bhatia, Principal of GMC Hospital Rajouri, highlighted the consistency in symptoms among the deceased. “The common factor is brain involvement and nervous system damage. This remains the focal point of our investigations,” he said.

Calls for Better Healthcare Infrastructure:

The crisis has exposed the fragility of Rajouri’s healthcare infrastructure. MLA Choudhary criticized the lack of air ambulance services and called for immediate intervention by higher authorities. “The efforts of the district administration, police, and health department are commendable, but we need robust healthcare facilities and the immediate deployment of an air ambulance in Rajouri,” he said.

Unanswered Questions:

As the SIT continues its probe, families in the region remain gripped by fear. With no clear answers yet, the mysterious illness has become a stark reminder of the urgent need for strengthened healthcare systems and crisis management strategies in rural areas.