Mysterious Disease: J&K Declares Hotspot Containment Zone, Section 144 Imposed
Jammu and Kashmir declared Badhal village of Rajouri district a containment zone and section 144 was imposed on Saturday. The move is due to the outbreak of a mysterious disease which has already claimed 17 lives. Check points were established on routes leading to the village, restrictions were imposed on private and public gatherings.
Facilities from ration to drinking water were also provided to the village, said media report. Medical teams are also present providing treatment and conducting tests seeking to identify the mysterious illness.
At least six patients are under treatment at Government Medical College Hospital and are recovering.
The illness has been reported with symptoms including fever, sweating, vomiting, dehydration, and episodic loss of consciousness. No bacterial or viral infections have been detected despite initial tests.
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Central team of experts has been investigating the cause of the deaths. Over 200 samples have been sent to different institutes for testing. Speaking to ANI, a pharmacist said that paramedics and nurses had been working continuously to make sure the situations are not worsening.
“Nurses and paramedics have been working 24×7 to make sure the conditions are in control. We are taking the patients to Rajouri if their health conditions deteriorate. The doctors have also been investigating on the situation and are trying to understand it…” the pharmacist said.
Rajouri’s Government Medical College (GMC) in Jammu and Kashmir is also on full alert. The government’s health department has provided five child specialists and five anaesthesia specialists to GMC Rajouri, as per media report. Principal GMC Rajouri, Dr AS Bhatia, confirmed that all types of advanced technology are in place to handle any emergency situation.
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“We faced a shortage of staff during evacuation (of Budhal village). I requested the Secretary Health, and within half an hour, he got the GMC Principal to pass an order for deputing 5 anaesthesiologists and 5 paediatricians. They will strengthen our existing manpower… We have been facing this crisis for 40 days, since 7 December,” MC Rajouri Principal, Dr Amarjeet Singh Bhatia, as quoted by media.
MLA Budhal Javaid Iqbal has appealed to the Union government to provide air ambulances for any emergency situations, enabling the airlifting of patients.
