Rajouri/Jammu, Jan 23: Over 200 individuals, who came in contact with the affected families of the 17 people who died due to the mysterious illness in Rajouri, have been quarantined as a precautionary measure, an official said on Thursday.
Four people, including three sisters, have been shifted to hospitals, with three airlifted to a hospital in Jammu.
Top health officials have identified a common factor among all those who lost their lives in Badhaal village as involvement of the brain and damage to the nervous system.
National Conference (NC) leader and local MLA Javaid Iqbal Choudhary on Thursday demanded the imposition of a medical emergency to save people and contain the spread of such a mysterious illness.
Over 200 individuals who came into contact with the affected families have been relocated to a quarantine center set up in the building of a nursing college and GMC hospital in Rajouri, they said.
A new quarantine center was set up in nursing college on Wednesday. As a precautionary measure, these relocated individuals include close relatives of the deceased. Several individuals who had contact with the affected families, from those who took children to the hospital to those who participated in burials, have also been identified.
These individuals have been moved away from the village as a precaution to break the chain, officials said.
Strict security measures have been implemented at the quarantine center located in the nursing college building in Rajouri, designated specifically for quarantine purposes. The facility has been secured with fencing and rigorous monitoring, they said.
Before admission to the center, all individuals are screened. Arrangements have been made to accommodate those affected at the nursing college at Gujjar Mandi.
“Keeping in view seriousness, the government should declare Medical emergency to save the population”, the MLA told reporters here.
Badhaal village in Rajouri district has been declared a containment zone as of Wednesday, with prohibitory orders in place for all public and private gatherings following the recent deaths, officials said.
Magistrate orders have sealed the homes of families where the deaths occurred as part of the primary containment zone. Entry into these homes, even by family members, is strictly prohibited without permission from officials on duty.
The secondary containment zone includes families that had close contact with the affected individuals, who are under constant health monitoring, they said.
The third zone encompasses all families in Baddal village, where arrangements for food and water are being made and communal dining has been prohibited.
A total of 17 people, including 13 children from the families of Mohammad Fazal, Mohammad Aslam, and Mohammad Rafiq in Baddal village, have died due to a mysterious illness over the past month and a half.
According to officials, the condition of Ejaaz, who was airlifted to PGI Chandigarh on Tuesday night, is reported to be stable. Ejaaz is currently admitted to the emergency ICU at PGI Chandigarh, where initial investigations are underway. A definitive assessment of the illness awaits the receipt of test reports.
Three new patients airlifted to a hospital by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Jammu are currently under observation, officials added.
A central team continues its investigation into the cause of the deaths in three families, with over 230 samples sent for testing to various institutes.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), established by the police after neurotoxins were found in samples from the deceased, continues its probe into potential criminal aspects.
Officials indicated that more than 50 persons have been questioned in connection with the case.
Dr A S Bhatia, Principal of Government Medical College Hospital Rajouri, revealed that the common factor among all 17 deaths is the involvement of the brain and damage to the nervous system.
To provide them with instant and better preventive care, the close contacts of affected families of village Badhaal have been shifted to Nursing College in Rajouri on the direction of Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Sharma.
The decision was taken to ensure better preventative care and close monitoring of their health, as tests revealed the presence of certain toxins, not bacterial or viral infection.
“Close contacts and High-risk individuals have been shifted to the Nursing College to expedite care, as the distance from Badhaal to Rajouri causes delays in responding to medical needs,” the DC said.
To review the arrangements at the Nursing College, the DC chaired a meeting and inspected the accommodation facilities. He also interacted with the relocated individuals, inquiring about their well-being. Addressing their concerns, the DC assured that their domestic animals will be taken care of at Badhaal by the Animal Husbandry and Agriculture Departments.
Key measures taken by the district administration included the Installation of CCTV cameras to monitor meal preparation and distribution, with all activities videographed for transparency and the deployment of female officers for the welfare of women.
In addition, directions were issued to the Chief Education Officer to facilitate regular classes for the children.
An awareness camp was also held by the Labour Department to educate the affected individuals and issue e-Shram cards. The District administration is also going to organize Daksh Kisan courses and skill development programs for the relocated individuals through ITI.
Additionally, four patients were airlifted yesterday for advanced treatment at different hospitals. One patient Ajaz was shifted to PGI Chandigarh and is now stable. Six other individuals are being treated at GMC Rajouri, including one critical patient whose condition has now stabilized. The DC visited the hospital this morning to inquire about the condition of the patients.
Additional District Development Commissioner Dr. Raj Kumar Thapa is closely monitoring the centers to ensure seamless coordination among all departments. The district administration is diligently implementing the directions issued by the Chief Secretary and Divisional Commissioner of Jammu.
The Deputy Commissioner appealed to the general public to stay calm, reiterating that the issue was not due to a bacterial or viral disease. Preventative measures are in place to address the situation effectively.