Why Did 35 People Get Admitted to the Hospital in J&K's Rajouri District?

Synopsis
In Jammu's Rajouri district, an alarming situation unfolds as 35 individuals are hospitalized with an unidentified illness. This incident echoes past tragedies, where 17 lives were lost to a mysterious disease. Health officials scramble to uncover the source while ensuring public safety amidst rising concerns over contaminated water.
Key Takeaways
- 35 individuals hospitalized in Rajouri district.
- Recalls the 17 deaths from a previous outbreak.
- Symptoms suggest a waterborne disease.
- Health officials are investigating contaminated drinking water.
- Public safety measures are being implemented.
Jammu, June 9 (NationPress) A total of 35 individuals have been hospitalized in the Rajouri district of J&K after suffering from an unidentified illness, as of Monday. This situation brings back memories of the unfortunate 17 fatalities caused by a mysterious disease in the Badhaal region of the district.
These 17 deaths occurred between December 7, 2024, and January 19, 2025, all within three families residing in Badhaal.
The entire Badhaal village was declared a containment zone after the incidents, and residents were moved to a quarantine facility, from which they were released after more than a month.
A serendipitous treatment of the affected individuals in Badhaal with atropine revealed the nature of the mysterious disease. Following the administration of atropine, doctors successfully treated the patients and prevented any further fatalities.
The effectiveness of this antidote for the current group of patients remains to be seen.
Officials report that the illness has now impacted villagers in Kotliparran village, located in the Manjakote tehsil of Rajouri.
"All the patients currently admitted are stable. Four have been referred to the Government Medical College (GMC) in Rajouri," stated a doctor in charge of the medical team.
A team from the Health Department has visited the village, taken water samples, and sent them for testing, according to the doctor.
The patients displayed symptoms typical of a waterborne disease, necessitating immediate medical intervention, as noted by officials.
While investigations are ongoing to determine the precise cause of the illness, health officials are leaning towards the possibility of contaminated drinking water.
A team from GMC Rajouri collected water samples from three local wells, and the district administration has sealed those wells pending the test outcomes.
"There could be a potential outbreak of acute gastroenteritis, based on information from the community medicine department. Symptoms include stomach pain, fever, dehydration, and diarrhea. Health Department officials are vigilantly tracking the situation and have assured the public that necessary measures are being implemented for public safety," an official remarked.