As Rajouri village sees no new cases, doc says anti-poison drug effective

With only one patient admitted to Rajouri hospital on Thursday for treatment of the unexplained illness that has plagued Badhaal village since December 7, there is a sense of relief among doctors and authorities. A key turning point has been the administration of atropine, a medication used to treat poisoning.

The illness, which has led to 17 deaths and affected multiple locals, had caused significant concern in the region.

The patient, 11-year-old Saima Kousar, was admitted on Thursday, and a doctor confirmed that there have been no new cases.

However, despite the improvement, authorities at GMC Rajouri decided not to discharge the eight patients who were expected to be released on Tuesday. Of the 11 patients from Badhaal under treatment at GMC Rajouri, eight have recovered fully, and the remaining three are still in recovery.

The turning point in treatment came with the administration of atropine doses.

According to a senior doctor, while the exact nature of the poisonous substance consumed by the residents of Badhaal remains unclear, empirical treatment based on atropine, guided by statistical data, has resulted in a 100 per cent recovery rate for those treated. The doctor noted, “We are not sure about the exact nature of the poison, but atropine has proven highly effective.”

The medical team is awaiting forensic reports to identify the toxic substance and provide proper long-term treatment. The doctor emphasised that some poisons can have prolonged effects, which can last up to three to six weeks, and therefore, the decision has been made to retain patients under observation until the results are received.

Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary of the Health and Medical Education Department, along with Principal GMC Rajouri AS Bhatia , and a team of experts, are closely monitoring the situation.