After 17 deaths, 200 shifted to quarantine centres in Rajouri

Over 200 individuals who came into contact with families affected by the mysterious illness in Badhaal village of Rajouri have been shifted to quarantine centres as a precautionary measure. This follows the deaths of 17 people in the village over a period of six weeks. On Wednesday, four individuals, including three sisters, were hospitalised, with three airlifted to a hospital in Jammu.

The quarantined individuals are now residing at the Government Nursing College, Rajouri, where adequate arrangements have been made for their stay and health monitoring. These families were initially housed at Government Medical College, Rajouri, but were relocated to the college on Wednesday.

The quarantined individuals include close relatives of the deceased and others who had contact with the affected families, such as those who transported children to the hospital or participated in burials. This relocation aims to break the potential chain of transmission, officials stated.

District officials have been assigned specific duties to closely monitor these individuals and promptly address any further cases of unexplained illness.

The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Rajouri, as directed by the Deputy Commissioner, is responsible for ensuring necessary security measures at the nursing college and deploying police personnel to strictly control unauthorised entry and exit. The GMC Principal has been instructed to maintain a 24/7 medical team on-site.

The college has been equipped with a sufficient number of mattresses and beds to accommodate additional individuals if required. CCTV cameras have been installed in the kitchen area to monitor food preparation for the quarantined individuals. An ambulance and necessary medications are also stationed at the site.

Strict adherence to food and water testing procedures before serving them to the quarantined individuals has been mandated.

The relocation of these families to quarantine has raised concerns, as government and health officials had previously stated that the deaths were not attributable to any communicable disease.