SRINAGAR: Following the deaths of seven people, including six children, in Badhaal village, Kotranka, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has ramped up efforts to investigate the cause of an unknown illness that has claimed the lives of its victims. Deputy Commissioner of Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, visited the affected village today to assess the situation firsthand and meet with a team of experts dispatched to investigate the alarming incident.
The deaths, which occurred over the past few days, have left the village in shock and prompted urgent action from the authorities. In response to the crisis, the government has deployed a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) Mobile Laboratory to Rajouri. This mobile lab is equipped to handle highly infectious diseases and will play a pivotal role in investigating the outbreak and ensuring the timely containment of any potential health risks.
A central team of experts has also been constituted to assist in the investigation. The team includes Dr Raghavendra A Honnakamble, Assistant Director of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Kapil Goel, AP Epidemiology from PGIMER Chandigarh, Dr Suresh Kumar, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at PGIMER Chandigarh, and an expert from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), who is yet to be nominated.
During his visit, Deputy Commissioner Sharma met with the expert team, offering full administrative support to facilitate their investigation. He assured the experts of all necessary assistance, including resources and logistics, to ensure they could carry out their work efficiently. Sharma emphasized that the administration is fully committed to conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the deaths and to providing immediate medical aid to prevent any further fatalities.
“The administration is committed to ensuring a comprehensive investigation and providing timely medical intervention to prevent further loss of lives,” Sharma said during the visit.
Besides, the Deputy Commissioner has directed health officials to intensify surveillance in the affected village as well as surrounding areas, with regular updates to be provided to both the district administration and the central team. Health teams are also expected to monitor any new cases and provide ongoing medical assistance to the community.
The mysterious illness, which has not yet been identified, continues to raise concerns among locals and authorities. The involvement of the BSL-3 Mobile Laboratory, coupled with the expertise of the central team, underscores the urgency with which the administration is addressing the situation.
As investigations continue, the government is working tirelessly to ensure the safety of the affected community, hoping to prevent further tragedies and uncover the cause of the outbreak.
