Pesticide poisoning probable cause of deaths at Rajouri village: Experts

After more than 50 days of investigation, doctors and experts have identified the likely cause of the unexplained illness that claimed 17 lives and left many others ill in Badhaal village, Rajouri.

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The suspected cause has been traced to insecticides or pesticides found in the blood samples of affected individuals. Sources revealed that toxins like carbamates and organophosphorus were detected in the samples from the families most impacted by the illness. Traces of cadmium were also found in some samples, further complicating the findings.

A senior doctor at Government Medical College (GMC), Rajouri, suggested that the presence of these substances could indicate ingestion. He noted that it seemed unlikely for so many people to have elevated levels of these toxins without a common source. "By correlating the chain of events, preliminary findings suggest it could have been ingested," the doctor said, emphasising that the final cause of death would only be confirmed after further investigations are concluded.

Carbamates and organophosphorus are classes of pesticides known to disrupt the nervous system. Both are highly toxic to humans, but atropine sulphate is a proven treatment for poisoning caused by these chemicals. A doctor confirmed that atropine treatment had already been initiated for patients, with positive results. Those receiving atropine have shown significant improvement.

Four patients, including three sisters, Tazeem Akhter (23), Khalida Begum (18) and Nazia Kouser (16), were discharged from GMC Jammu and SMGS Jammu on Monday after their recovery. Additionally, Ajaz Ahmed (25), another patient, was referred to PGI Chandigarh and is expected to be discharged soon.

Initial findings from a CSIR lab in Lucknow ruled out viral or bacterial infections, pointing to the presence of toxins in the samples. Traces of cadmium, another harmful substance, were also detected in the samples.