Rajouri: A “mystery illness” has claimed the lives of 13 people in Baddal village, including 11 children, since December 7, 2024. Health experts investigating the deaths have ruled out viral, bacterial, or microbial infections, instead identifying the presence of neurotoxins in the samples of the deceased.
On Wednesday, J&K’s Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo convened a meeting to review the ongoing health measures. Experts from top institutions, including the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (Chandigarh), National Institute of Virology (Pune), and National Centre for Disease Control (Delhi), conducted microbiological studies on water and food samples collected from the village. Despite the absence of known pathogens, neurotoxins appear to be a significant factor in the deaths.
The local deaths were found to be connected epidemiologically, with all victims being related. The Chief Secretary emphasized the need for collaboration between health and police departments to investigate further and reach a conclusion about the cause of the deaths.
Health authorities have begun aggressive contact tracing and sampling in the village, with food and water quality being scrutinized to ensure safety. A mobile medical unit and ambulances have been stationed for emergency medical needs.
Sakina Itoo, Health and Medical Education Minister, confirmed that extensive testing of over 3,500 samples from the village had returned negative for infections. The investigation is now focused on uncovering the underlying causes of these tragic deaths.
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