India Investigates Mysterious Illness After 17 Die, Including 13 Children

TDT | Manama
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 Authorities in India-administered Jammu and Kashmir are investigating a mysterious illness that has led to the deaths of 17 people, including 13 children, in the remote village of Badhaal in Jammu's Rajouri district. The deaths, which began in early December, have sparked alarm, and the area is now under intense scrutiny from health officials.

As a result of the rising concerns, the village was declared a containment zone earlier this week, with approximately 230 residents placed under quarantine, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported. The victims, all from three related families, showed signs of severe brain and nervous system damage prior to their deaths, according to Amarjeet Singh Bhatia, the head of Rajouri's government medical college.

To manage the situation, local authorities have canceled winter vacations for schools, and an emergency task force has been set up to respond to the ongoing medical alert.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh confirmed that an initial investigation conducted by the toxicology laboratory in Lucknow has concluded that the deaths were not caused by any infection, virus, or bacteria, but rather a toxin. "We are testing a range of toxins, and I believe a solution will be found soon," Singh stated. He also assured that if any malicious activity was involved, it would be thoroughly investigated.

The mysterious deaths follow a series of similar incidents, but this case is the most severe. Health officials are working urgently to identify the source of the toxin and prevent any further fatalities.

In a separate incident, authorities in Pune, a city in western India, are dealing with a different medical crisis, as at least 73 cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) have been reported. GBS is a rare neurological disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the peripheral nerves. Of the affected individuals, 26 are women, and 14 are on ventilator support. The condition can cause muscle weakness, loss of sensation, and difficulty with swallowing and breathing.

As investigations into both medical incidents continue, local authorities are taking extensive measures to ensure public safety and address these mysterious health outbreaks.