Jammu & Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo has directed stringent containment measures to prevent further loss of lives following mysterious deaths in Badhal, Rajouri. Badhal has now been declared a containment zone.
In a high-level meeting with Health, Police, and District officials, he emphasised deploying adequate manpower, implementing a robust SOP, and ensuring only tested food and water are used.
Investigations are ongoing, with SIT and national diagnostic teams analyzing samples. Isolation and surveillance measures are in place, and local health facilities are on high alert. All efforts aim to safeguard lives while uncovering the root cause.
So far, a mysterious illness has claimed 17 lives in Jammu and Kashmir's Badhal. Before their deaths, the patients suffered from loss of consciousness, pain, fever, nausea, and sweating. They died within days of being hospitalised.
The administration has refrained from declaring an epidemic. Last week, Union Home Minister Amit Shah ordered the constitution of an inter-ministerial team to ascertain the cause of the deaths, which occurred within weeks in three interlinked families in the remote village.
As per the Rajouri district, the containment zone has been divided into three zones — Category 1, 2, and 3. Containment Zone 1 is for the households where deaths have occurred. People from that house are restricted from venturing out.
Containment Zone 2 is for those contacts who have come in contact with the affected households. These people will be monitored at government medical facilities in Rajouri. Containment Zone 3 three is for the entire village, where food distribution and consumption will be monitored.