Rajouri illness not mysterious disease, say health authorities

A day after several villagers were hospitalised following reports of a ‘mysterious illness’ in Rajouri district, health authorities have clarified that the patients were suffering from gastroenteritis.

Six months after 17 people, including 13 children, died due to an unexplained illness in a Rajouri village, panic once again gripped the region as multiple individuals fell ill and were rushed to Government Medical College (GMC), Rajouri.

While officials maintain that only 11 people fell sick in the Kotli Bagla area of Manjakote, some reports suggest that at least 35 people have shown symptoms of illness in recent days.

Health authorities have attributed the cases to seasonal gastroenteritis. Meanwhile, Rajouri Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Sharma convened a meeting with health officials and directed the immediate deployment of medical teams to the affected village. He also ordered door-to-door screening and inspection of local water sources, urging residents to drink only boiled water as a precautionary measure.

Government Medical College, Rajouri, also issued a statement clarifying the situation. Of the 11 patients admitted, 10 have already been discharged, officials said.

Dr AS Bhatia, Principal of GMC Rajouri, addressed concerns circulating on social media regarding an alleged outbreak of a mysterious disease in Kotli village. “We want to clarify that no such outbreak has occurred. These are simple cases of gastroenteritis, which are common during this season. Every year, such cases are reported to GMC Rajouri,” he said.

He further added, “Recently, eleven cases of gastroenteritis were admitted and ten have been discharged. There is no mysterious illness or outbreak. All necessary tests have been conducted and confirmed the diagnosis as simple gastroenteritis.”

Meanwhile, Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari expressed concern and pointed to reports that suggested up to 35 people had been hospitalised in recent days. “This brings back painful memories of Badhaal village, where 17 precious lives—including 13 children—were lost just a few months ago to a similarly unexplained illness,” he said. “I urge the administration to deploy a comprehensive medical team, including relevant specialists, to the affected village for thorough investigation and necessary care.”

From December last year to January, 17 people died in Badhaal village of Rajouri, allegedly due to toxins. Despite efforts, authorities were unable to conclusively determine the cause of the deaths. The incident sparked widespread concern, prompting the involvement of experts from top medical institutions across the country.