A mysterious disease has struck Badhaal village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, leaving 17 people dead and 38 others affected since December 2024. Despite extensive investigations, authorities have yet to identify the precise cause of the fatalities.
On Sunday, another death was reported, pushing the toll to 17. Following Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s directives, an inter-ministerial team has been dispatched to the region to probe the alarming situation. The deaths have occurred within weeks in three closely related families from this mountain village, located approximately 55 km from Rajouri town, as reported by PTI.
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Symptoms and more
According to local reports, affected individuals initially experienced symptoms like fever, pain, nausea, and loss of consciousness. Tragically, most lost their lives to the illness within days of being admitted to hospitals.
“The J&K health department, along with other agencies, has conducted an initial probe, but the exact cause remains undetermined. The Home Minister has now constituted a team of inter-ministerial experts, and they are on the ground investigating,” Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha told reporters. Preliminary findings point to brain swelling, or Edema, as a common condition among the deceased. Dr. A.S. Bhatia, principal of Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri, stated that neurotoxins detected in samples analysed by leading laboratories are likely responsible for the fatalities.
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Neurotoxins: Potential culprit
Tests conducted by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), National Institute of Virology (Pune), and other premier laboratories led to the involvement of viruses or bacteria, leading to a communicable disease. However, they confirmed the presence of neurotoxins in the samples.
Neurotoxins are substances that impair the normal functioning of the nervous system, affecting the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. These toxins can originate from natural sources such as venomous animals (e.g., snakes, spiders) or certain plants, as well as from synthetic sources like pesticides and industrial chemicals.
Exposure to neurotoxins can occur through ingestion, inhalation, skin contact, or injection, leading to symptoms such as muscle weakness, paralysis, confusion, and seizures. In severe cases, neurotoxins can cause respiratory failure and death.
