Kinkini Gupta
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Written By: Kinkini Gupta | Published : January 24, 2025 4:13 PM IST
Jammu And Kashmir 'Mystery Illness' Unveiled: Health Experts Say It Was Neither Virus Nor Bacteria
For over one month, the residents Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir have lived in fear and panic as 17 people from three families died mysteriously since December 7th. Following the mysterious deaths, more people have been admitted to hospitals and according to news reports, over 200 people who had come into contact with the affected families have also been quarantined. The Home Minister Amit Shah recently appointed a central investigation team to find out the source of the issue. Investigators have reveled the reason behind the victims deaths.
As per recent developments, investigators and health experts reveal that the illness was caused because of cadmium poisoning. Experts in their previous statements had mentioned that the probability of the cause being bacteria or virus has been ruled out. Initially, they suspected traces if neurotoxins or pesticides in a nearby baoli but they had not yet established a valid link.
Tests conducted by the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow reveled the presence of cadmium in the bodies of deceased persons. How cadmium found its way inside the body is still a matter of investigation, he said, clarifying no other virus, bacteria, or infection was found in the victims' samples. Top health officials have identified a common factor among all those who lost their lives in Badhaal village as involvement of the brain and damage to the nervous system.
After an order from the District Magistrates office in Jammu and Kashmir, the entire affected region has been sealed off and is currently being treated as a containment zone under section 163 of BNS. The central investigation team appoint by Home Minister is still working to find out how the water reservoir got contaminated with neurotoxins.
The National Conference (NC) leader along with the local MLA Javaid Iqbal Choudhary on Thursday demanded the imposition of a medical emergency to save people and contain the spread of such a mysterious illness.
