Expert Claims Atropine Could Avert Unexplained Deaths in J&K's Rajouri
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Synopsis
In a remarkable discovery, doctors at GMC Hospital in Rajouri, J&K have identified atropine as the antidote for the toxin that has caused mysterious deaths in Budhaal village, claiming 17 lives, including 14 children, between December and January. This breakthrough could change treatment protocols in the region.
Key Takeaways
- Atropine identified as antidote for mysterious illness.
- 17 fatalities linked to neurotoxins.
- Two patients survived due to prior atropine treatment.
- Government teams dispatched to investigate.
- Breakthrough offers hope for future treatments.
Jammu, Jan 27 (NationPress) In a significant breakthrough, physicians at the Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital in the Rajouri district of J&K have successfully discovered the antidote for the toxin responsible for the fatalities in Budhaal village.
Between December 8 and January 17, approximately 17 individuals, including 14 children, lost their lives due to a mysterious illness in Budhaal village.
Tests conducted on samples from the deceased indicated that the cause of death was neither a viral nor bacterial infection; however, traces of neurotoxins were detected.
Despite these findings, healthcare professionals were unable to determine an effective treatment to prevent deaths among the affected individuals.
Dr. A.S. Bhatia, Principal of GMC Rajouri, remarked, “We felt utterly powerless as we witnessed patients arriving at the hospital and succumbing before our eyes. This was a source of deep anguish for all of us. A turning point occurred when we meticulously reviewed the treatment records of all patients who had been admitted.”
Dr. Bhatia noted that on December 14, among the patients they received, two individuals, Danish and Abdul Qayoom, survived while others did not.
“Upon examining the treatment records, we found that all patients had received the same treatment, except for Abdul Qayoom and Danish, who had been administered atropine for a different condition. These two patients survived, which led us to identify atropine as the antidote for this illness,” he explained.
“Atropine serves as an antidote for organophosphorus poisoning, characterized by symptoms such as constricted pupils. However, unfortunately, none of the patients from Budhaal exhibited this symptom,” the doctor added.
“Thus, we overlooked the specific poisoning group for which atropine was necessary,” he stated.
Through thorough analysis of treatment records and elimination processes, they concluded that the organophosphorus group of poisons was responsible for the fatalities.
“On January 20, we treated around 22 individuals exhibiting symptoms of this so-called mysterious illness. We administered atropine to all, including those sent to Chandigarh and Jammu,” he mentioned.
“None of the patients who received atropine succumbed, and we have now unraveled the mystery behind the so-called mysterious illness,” he added.
“Our sole regret is that we did not identify the organophosphorus poisoning group responsible for the 17 deaths since none of the victims showed any symptoms indicating this type of poisoning,” he expressed.
The J&K government had dispatched medical teams to Budhaal village, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah had formed an inter-ministerial team to investigate the unexplained fatalities in Budhaal.
