J&K Mysterious Deaths Not Due To Pathogens, Unknown Toxins May Be Culprits: Min

Jammu: After a mysterious illness in Jammu and Kashmir claimed at least 17 lives in Rajouri, Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday ruled out an infectious pathogen as the cause of the disease. According to reports, officials claimed that preliminary probe hinted at unidentified toxins as the possible culprit.

“As per preliminary investigation conducted by the CSIR lab in Lucknow, it is not any infection, viral or bacterial in nature. Toxins have been found. Now, investigation is underway to ascertain what kind of toxin it is,” the minister said, as quoted by India Today.

All possible angles are being probed, including conspiracy, the minister assured reporters.

The deaths took place between Dec 7 and Jan 19 within three families in the remote Badhaal village in Rajouri, reports claimed. The incident prompted authorities to declare the area a containment zone on Wednesday. Prohibitory orders on public and private gatherings were also imposed.

Four more villagers, close relatives of the deceased families, remain hospitalised, reported News 18.

The Ministry of Home Affairs formed an 11-member inter-ministerial team to investigate the mysterious deaths. According to reports, the patients had symptoms including fever, pain, nausea, intense sweating, and loss of consciousness.

Dr Shuja Qadri, senior epidemiologist and head of the Community Medicines Department at GMC Rajouri told News 18 the deaths in the village were not the result of any communicable disease. He claimed that the probe had been narrowed down to the identification of the toxin in food items. More than 200 food samples were reportedly sent to institutes across the country for screening.

Dr Shuja Qadri, senior epidemiologist and head of the Community Medicines Department at GMC Rajouri, said the deaths in the village were not the result of any communicable disease, and the probe has been narrowed down to the identification of the toxin in food items. More than 200 food samples have been sent to institutes nationwide for screening.

The Jammu and Kashmir government stated that there was no evidence of a communicable disease of bacterial or viral origin. It dismissed a potential public health crisis. Police also also formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) after neurotoxins were found in samples from the deceased.