India - 17 deaths in undiagnosed disease - Rajouri, Kashmir region - December 8+ - Organophospate poisoning suspected

[yielddude]

Two more children died on Monday after six kids from a family were admitted to hospital due to a mysterious illness at Badhaal village in Rajouri district, officials said.

Six children of Mohammad Aslam were taken to the community health centre for a medical check-up on Saturday evening.

The children were initially referred to the Government Medical College (GMC) Associated Hospital in Rajouri and later they were shifted to the SMGS Hospital in Jammu where 5-year-old Nabeena breathed her last on Sunday, they said.

On Monday, Zahoor (14) and Maroof (8) died during treatment at the hospital.

The village under the Kotranka sub-division has been grappling with a mysterious disease that claimed the lives of nine people from two different families since December last year.

The latest deaths have taken the toll to 12, officials said.
​https://www.newindianexpress.com/na...succumb-to-mysterious-disease-in-j-ks-rajouri

 

[Mary Wilson]

14 People, Including 11 Children Die Due To ‘Mysterious Disease’ In J&K’s Rajouri

​In just one month, 14 people, including 11 children died due to a mysterious disease in Rajouri. The government has deployed various health teams to collect samples to identify and address the potential health risks.

Updated on: 14 January 2025 11:07 pm​
OUTLOOK WEB DESK

A ‘mysterious disease’ has led to the death of 14 people within 30 days after two more deaths were reported on Tuesday in Jammu & Kashmir’s Rajouri region. Out of 14, the deceased include 11 children and 3 adults from three families in the remote Badhaal village of Koteranka Sub-division.​ ...

Samples are being collected from food, water, and the affected individuals to determine the source of the outbreak. ...

According to a PTI report, nine people belonging to two families died in the village last month. Initially, the deaths were attributed to suspected food poisoning. However, the situation turned grim when most of the villagers complained of similar symptoms, prompting government intervention and the rushing of experts from various prestigious health institutions in the country.​ ...

Dr Ashutosh Gupta, the principal of Government Medical College Hospital in Jammu, suggested that the cause may be a viral infection but cautioned that more studies are needed for a conclusive diagnosis. ...

https://www.outlookindia.com/nation...-die-due-to-mysterious-disease-in-jks-rajouri



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[Mary Wilson]

Mysterious deaths in J (Jammu) & K (Kashmir): Centre's team reaches Rajouri; death toll rises to 17

Published 19.01.25, 09:48 PM
PTI​

A high-level inter-ministerial team Sunday reached Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district where a mysterious illness is wreaking havoc, killing another person on Sunday and taking the death toll to 17.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had on Saturday ordered the constitution of an inter-ministerial team to ascertain the causes of deaths that took place within weeks in three families linked to each other in the remote Badhaal village.

Yasmeen Kousar, the last of the six children of Mohd Aslam undergoing treatment at SMGS hospital in Jammu, died this evening, officials said.

Kousar's five siblings and grandparents died last week. Nine other members of two families had died in the village between December 7 and 12.

"J&K health department and other departments probed the deaths but the exact cause has not be found yet. The Home Minister has constituted a team of inter-ministerial experts and they have reached here," Lt Governor Manoj Sinha told reporters​ ...

The patients complained of fever, pain, nausea and loss of consciousness before dying within days of their admission to hospitals. ...

... Jammu and Kashmir government spokesperson said investigations and samples empirically indicated that the incidents were not due to a communicable disease of bacterial or viral origin and that there is no public health angle.

https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/mysterious-deaths-in-j-death-toll-rises-to-17/cid/2078422
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[alert]

A real puzzle. If this was H2H spread, some HCW would have been affected. And we don't really have a denominator to estimate a fatality rate.

My mind wanders to some kind of actual poisoning, most likely an ingested one. Heavy metals? Pesticides? Improperly stored food resulting in botulism?

 

[Pathfinder]

Mystery behind 17 deaths in J&K’s Rajouri will be resolved soon: Omar Abdullah

Seventeen persons, including 13 children, belonging to three related families died under mysterious circumstances here between December 7 and January 19

Updated - January 22, 2025 11:37 am IST - Badhaal (J&K)

Asserting that a probe is underway to unravel the mystery behind 17 deaths in Badhal village of Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday (January 21, 2025) assured people that all questions will be answered soon.
...
"First, the focus was to know whether this is the result of any disease and in case it is a disease our biggest responsibility was to ensure that it does not spread. All the tests were conducted and the results revealed that there are no bacteria or viruses,” the Chief Minister said.
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He said the investigation is ongoing and so far no concrete reason was found about the unfortunate deaths in the three families, mostly of children.
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“We took time because we failed to establish the reason for the deaths. But we will expose the truth though it will take two or three more days and we have no issues with it,” he said, adding “we will come out with the answers to all the questions”.
...
https://www.thehindu.com/news/natio...solved-soon-omar-abdullah/article69126028.ece

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Rajouri village where a mystery disease killed 17 declared a containment zone

The affected area in Rajouri's Badhal district has been divided into three zones, the first being the house where the deaths occurred

Tariq Bhat By Tariq Bhat Updated: January 22, 2025 14:52 IST

The administration in Rajouri has declared the entire village of Badhal a containment zone after 17 residents from three families tragically lost their lives under mysterious circumstances. The unprecedented fatalities have raised serious concerns, prompting the imposition of strict measures to prevent further casualties.

The containment strategy divides the affected area into three zones to ensure targeted interventions.

Zone 1 encompasses houses where the deaths have occurred. These homes have been sealed off, and entry is strictly prohibited without authorisation.

Zone 2 includes families identified as close contacts of the deceased. These individuals have been relocated to the Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri for continuous health monitoring.

Zone 3 covers the rest of Badhal village. Authorities are closely monitoring food distribution and consumption to prevent potential contamination across all households in this zone.
...

https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2...se-killed-17-declared-a-containment-zone.html

 

[Pathfinder]

Not Virus Or Bacteria, Here's What Caused "Mystery Illness" In J&K's Rajouri

A team of health experts has now addressed the fears of the people and said the deaths were caused by neurotoxins

Edited by:
Chandrajit Mitra
India News
Jan 24, 2025 11:52 am IST

Srinagar:
Experts have found the cause behind the "mystery illness" that has claimed at least 17 lives in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri. The deaths had sparked fear and panic in the Budhal village over the past month, leading to a central team being formed to probe the cause. Doctors had earlier ruled out any virus or bacterial presence in the samples. In the latest update, Union Minister Jitendra Singh told the media that the illness was due to cadmium toxin.

Speaking to Dainik Jagran, Mr Singh said cadmium was detected in the bodies of the victims during the tests at the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow. How cadmium found its way inside the body is still a matter of investigation, he said, clarifying no other virus, bacteria, or infection was found in the victims' samples.

Cadmium is a highly toxic metal that can cause several ailments if it finds its way inside the body. Cadmium poisoning can occur due to polluted air or consumption of contaminated food and water.
...

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/wha...laimed-17-lives-in-j-k-doctors-answer-7546638

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'Cadmium Toxin Found In Samples Of Victims': Union Minister On Mysterious Deaths In J&K's Rajouri

Curated By :
Vani Mehrotra
News18.com
Last Updated:
January 25, 2025, 02:05 IST

A mysterious illness in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri has claimed 17 lives, with tests confirming cadmium toxin as the cause. The village has been quarantined.

Hours after top health officials identified a common factor among all those who lost their lives in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri, Union Minister Jitendra Singh told the media that the illness was due to cadmium toxin.

According to a report with Dainik Jagran, the Union Minister said cadmium was detected in the bodies of the victims during the tests at the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow. However, Singh said the means through which cadmium might have entered the bodies of the victims was a matter of investigation.
...

https://www.news18.com/india/rajour...ood-samples-test-jammu-kashmir-9200255.html​​

 

[sharon sanders]

bump this

 

[Pathfinder]

Rajouri deaths | Cadmium, Aldicarb, Sulfon: Over 200 toxins being investigated
...
ZEHRU NISSA January 25, 2025 12:14

Srinagar, Jan 24: Indian Institute of Toxicology Research Lucknow has confirmed ‘significant levels of cadmium’ in some samples collected from the people affected by the ‘mysterious illness’ in Badhaal Rajouri.

Yet, this metal has not been confirmed to be the cause of deaths and sickness in over 32 individuals from the area.
...
At Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri, where many samples have been taken and sent for analysis, Epidemiologist Dr Syed Shuja Qadri said, “Cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, has been found in higher doses in around 10 affected individuals. However, the clinical profile of cadmium poisoning does not match the symptoms of the victims, leaving experts baffled.”

In addition to cadmium, aldicarb, a carbamate pesticide, and sulfon have also been detected in the victims. Aldicarb is known to inhibit cholinesterase (a chemical that helps transmit nerve activity) activity, leading to adverse toxic effects.

However, the presence of these toxins does not seem to be the cause of death, as the clinical profile of the victims does not match the expected symptoms.

According to Dr Qadri, the investigation has narrowed down to the possibility of a neurotoxin causing acute Encephalitis or Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES). The mode of exposure is likely ingestion, but it is unclear whether the exposure was continued or intermittent.

“We have by now understood that the deaths have been caused by a neurotoxin and it seems to have reached the bodies of the victims through food or water,” Dr Qadri said.

“May be, it is just an incidental finding. Till now we don’t have any lab evidence to pin the cause,” he said.
...

https://www.greaterkashmir.com/gk-t...rb-sulfon-over-200-toxins-being-investigated/
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[Pathfinder]

Mystery Deepens Over Deaths in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri: Organophosphorus Poisoning Suspected

Seventeen mysterious deaths in J&K's Badhaal village over the past 52 days have left authorities and health experts scrambling for answers. While no new cases have been reported, speculation points to organophosphorus poisoning as a potential cause.

By Dinesh Manhotra
January 28, 2025 10:29 IST
...
Is organophosphorus poison the cause of the mysterious deaths?

Although authorities remain tight-lipped about the exact cause of the mysterious deaths of 17 persons from thirteen children, some reports quoting health officials suggest that organophosphorus poisoning might be the culprit, as patients responded positively to atropine injections—a standard antidote for organophosphate poisoning.

Reports quoting a senior doctor indicated that atropine was initially administered to two patients for heart rate management, and both showed significant improvement. This prompted speculation that organophosphorus poisoning could be the likely cause. However, the doctor cautioned against jumping to conclusions, as official reports from top laboratories are still awaited.
...
https://www.ibtimes.co.in/mystery-d...s-poisoning-suspected-878670#google_vignette​

 

[alert]

The article goes on to correctly state that organophosphates are used as herbicides and pesticides, which might explain how this could have happened. I am once again updating the thread title.

 

[Pathfinder]

No fresh cases of mysterious illness in Rajouri’s Badhal village, experts formulating treatment protocol
...

Fayaz Wani
Updated on:
31 Jan 2025, 11:30 pm
...
MLA Budhal, Ch. Javed Iqbal, stated that no fresh cases of the mysterious illness have been reported from Badhal village since January 24.
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After 17 people, including 13 children and 4 adults, died from the illness, the administration declared Badhal village a containment zone and relocated approximately 400 people from nearly 90 families to government accommodations in the Rajouri district headquarters. The administration is providing food and lodging facilities to help break the neurotoxin in the food chain.
...
Principal of GMC Rajouri, Dr. Amarjeet Singh Bhatia, told this newspaper that although 11 patients have been successfully treated with atropine, the specific toxin causing the illness is still unknown.

He said experts from PGI and AIIMS New Delhi will formulate an SOP for the discharge policy and follow-up treatment of patients who have fully recovered from the mysterious illness. “They will formulate the SOP for follow-up, discharge, and treatment protocol of the patients,” he added.

GMC Rajouri, where 11 patients of the mysterious illness have fully recovered, has decided against discharging the patients until the toxic substance responsible for the illness is identified.
...

https://www.newindianexpress.com/na...illage-experts-formulating-treatment-protocol

 

[Pathfinder]

Rajouri Deaths: 11 Patients Discharged From Rajouri’s GMC Hospital After Complete Recovery

By Press Trust of India (PTI) -10:40 pm February 4, 2025

JAMMU: Eleven patients, who were admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital (GMC) after falling ill due to a mysterious illness in Badhaal village of Rajouri district, have fully recovered and been discharged, officials said on Tuesday.
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“All patients from Badhaal village have now fully recovered. Today, they were shifted from the treatment ward to the general observation area of the hospital,” Dr Shamim Ahmed, Medical Superintendent of GMC Hospital, Rajouri, Dr Shamim Ahmed, told reporters here.
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Badhaal village remains under containment, with 79 families still in isolation as a precautionary measure, they said.
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To ensure the safety of the remaining 808 households, totaling 3,700 individuals in Badhaal, the village has been divided into 14 clusters monitored by multi-departmental teams comprising 182 officials.

All shops and establishments in the village have been sealed and ration distribution is being strictly supervised, according to officials.
...

https://kashmirlife.net/rajouri-dea...-gmc-hospital-after-complete-recovery-381832/

 

[Pathfinder]

Two months on, no breakthrough in identifying cause of 17 deaths in Rajouri

Jahangeer Ganaie by Jahangeer Ganaie - February 8, 2025 in Jammu, Latest

More than two months have passed since the mysterious deaths in Rajouri’s Badhaal village, yet authorities remain unable to determine the exact cause of the tragedy. Despite extensive investigations, locals are still waiting for answers.
...
A senior doctor told KNO that all patients at GMC Rajouri have now recovered and have been shifted to observation wards. “The antidotes administered to the affected individuals have been effective, but we still lack conclusive evidence about the exact cause of deaths. We are awaiting the final reports from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL),” the doctor said.

He added that investigators had already narrowed down their focus to toxins such as Aldicarb, Cadmium, and other salts, but official confirmation is still pending.
...

https://www.dailygoodmorningkashmir...in-identifying-cause-of-17-deaths-in-rajouri/

 

[Pathfinder]

Mystery illness hits J&K village again as 35 fall ill with unexplained symptoms

17 civilians died within 50 days between December 2024 and January 2025, after showing unexplained symptoms in J&K's

BadhaalTariq Bhat By Tariq Bhat Updated: June 10, 2025 11:11 IST
...
Now, fresh cases have emerged in Kotliparran village, where 35 residents have been hospitalised in recent days. Four of the more serious cases have been referred to the Government Medical College (GMC) in Rajouri, while the rest are stable, health officials confirmed.

The affected villagers have shown symptoms such as stomach pain, fever, dehydration, and diarrhoea. Doctors suspect a possible outbreak of acute gastroenteritis, most likely caused by contaminated drinking water. A team from GMC Rajouri has collected water samples from three local wells, which have since been sealed by the district administration pending test results.
...

https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2...as-35-fall-ill-with-unexplained-symptoms.html

 

[Pathfinder]

Rajouri illness not mysterious disease, say health authorities

article_Author
Arjun Sharma
Our Correspondent
Jammu, Updated At : 03:45 AM Jun 11, 2025 IST

A day after several villagers were hospitalised following reports of a ‘mysterious illness’ in Rajouri district, health authorities have clarified that the patients were suffering from gastroenteritis.

Six months after 17 people, including 13 children, died due to an unexplained illness in a Rajouri village, panic once again gripped the region as multiple individuals fell ill and were rushed to Government Medical College (GMC), Rajouri.

While officials maintain that only 11 people fell sick in the Kotli Bagla area of Manjakote, some reports suggest that at least 35 people have shown symptoms of illness in recent days.

Health authorities have attributed the cases to seasonal gastroenteritis. Meanwhile, Rajouri Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Sharma convened a meeting with health officials and directed the immediate deployment of medical teams to the affected village. He also ordered door-to-door screening and inspection of local water sources, urging residents to drink only boiled water as a precautionary measure.
...

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/j-k/rajouri-illness-not-mysterious-disease-say-health-authorities/