BBC Hindi
ANIAuthorities are investigating the “mysterious” deaths of 17 people – most of them children – in the same village in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
The deaths, including those of 12 children, occurred since December 7 in the remote village of Badhal in Rajouri district of Jammu.
The victims initially showed symptoms similar to food poisoning, but suddenly lost consciousness, health officials said.
The village has been declared a containment zone, but authorities have said the disease does not appear to be contagious and there is no fear of an outbreak.
Dr AS Bhatia, head of a local hospital, said the first five patients – including four children – admitted had symptoms similar to food poisoning, including vomiting and diarrhea. Others complain of sore throats and breathing problems.
But then they would all suddenly lose consciousness, he added.
The federal government ordered an investigation. A special investigation team formed by the local administration, comprising police officers, pathologists and other specialists, interviewed dozens of people so far.
According to initial investigations, the consumption of contaminated food and water could be the cause. Residents of the village have been urged not to drink water from a local spring after an analytical sample showed it contained traces of pesticides.
The deaths occurred between December 7 and January 19 and the victims were members of three related families. Six of the deceased children were siblingswith ages ranging from seven to 15 years old. Their homes were sealed.
Although doctors have ruled out the possibility of infection, an administrative order says people identified as close contacts of the three families will be transferred to a government hospital in Rajouri, where their condition will be monitored. The order also asks all other residents of Badhal to consume only food and water provided by the administration.
“All edible materials present in infected households will be seized by the authorities,” the order said.
At least 10 people were admitted for treatment in hospitals in the cities of Rajouri, Jammu and Chandigarh.
Dr Shuja Quadri, an epidemiologist at the Government Medical College, Rajouri, said the disease is localized and they have ruled out the possibility of viral, bacterial, protozoal and zoonotic infections.
Among the second group of patients admitted on December 12, five people, including a one-year-old child, have recovered.
“It was a ray of hope for us,” Dr. Bhatia said.
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