Srinagar, Feb 13 (KNO): While the mystery over the deaths in Badhaal area of Rajouri continue to remain unsolved, the government has discharged all the quarantined people from the village and allowed them to proceed to their homes after remaining in isolation for nearly one month.
Since December 7, 2024, a total of 17 people—including 13 children—have died due to an unidentified illness. While no new cases have been reported in almost one month, all the previously admitted patients have recovered and no one has shown any symptoms since then, said the officials.
Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), an official said that experts from prestigious institutes of India had recommended keeping all close contacts and patients in proper monitoring and if they won't show any symptoms for 21 consecutive days, then they can be allowed to return to their home.
He said that following their advice and recommendations, all close contacts of the deceased were kept in proper surveillance and none among them showed any symptoms for more than 21 days following which they were discharged.
Speaking to the media, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma while sharing the details regarding the measures taken to contain the mysterious illness, said that they followed all the recommendations of experts, especially from AIIMS Delhi and now the patients and quarantined people have been discharged.
He, however, said that the government will continue to provide them all eatables and other items till SIT constituted to probe the deaths will submit its report.
The deputy Commissioner said that the whole village will continue to remain under proper surveillance and monitoring and all the support will be provided to them.
Notably, A Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the police has questioned multiple individuals but has not uncovered any leads.
Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has ruled out infectious agents as the cause and is focusing on the possibility of toxic substances.
Experts from AIIMS Delhi and PGIMER Chandigarh have visited the affected village, collected samples, and are currently analysing them for possible toxins.
Moreover, the he district administration continues to monitor the situation closely, and the village remains under strict surveillance to prevent any further incidents—(KNO)