Situation worsens in Rajouri as four more hospitalised
With four more people from Badhaal village in Rajouri district falling ill in the past 24 hours, health authorities and the administration remain baffled as no clues have yet been found regarding the cause of the unexplained sickness.
Three sisters, aged 14, 16, and 23 years, along with a 25-year-old man, were admitted to Government Medical College (GMC), Rajouri, since Tuesday evening. The man was later referred to PGI Chandigarh after his condition worsened, while the three sisters remain under treatment at GMC Rajouri.
Authorities stated that the sisters were brought to the hospital on Wednesday morning after they complained of severe pain. They have been placed in an isolation ward at GMC Rajouri for close monitoring.
A team of doctors is observing the sisters throughout the day and has made arrangements to refer them to Jammu or Chandigarh if their condition deteriorates further. Meanwhile, the youth, identified as Ajaz Ahmed, who fell ill on Tuesday evening, was airlifted to PGI Chandigarh for advanced treatment.
A senior doctor at GMC Rajouri revealed that 30 individuals from Badhaal village, who are closely associated with the families of the 17 deceased, have also been shifted to the hospital by the administration. They are being kept under strict observation.
“As we are unable to determine the cause of the illness and deaths, the 30 relatives of the three families, whose members have died since December 7, have been moved to GMC Rajouri. They are being provided food and water under medical supervision,” said a doctor who requested anonymity.
The three sisters admitted to the hospital are nieces of Fazal Hussain, who, along with his four children, died in December. The youth airlifted to PGI reportedly developed symptoms days after bringing back the body of a girl to Rajouri from a Jammu hospital. He is also a relative of the victims.
