SRINAGAR: The Jammu & Kashmir Students Association on Wednesday has written to Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, urging immediate intervention in the health crisis and tragic deaths in the Rajouri area of Jammu and Kashmir. In its letter, the association stated that a severe health crisis has gripped the Badhaal village of the Kotranka sub-division in Rajouri, as a mysterious disease continues to claim lives. Tragically, this outbreak has already resulted in the deaths of over 16 people, including 11 children and three adults from three families, posing a significant threat to public health.
The National Convenor of the Association, Nasir Khuehami, said that the first cluster of deaths, primarily affecting children, was reported in early December, when nine individuals from two related families succumbed to an unknown illness. In recent days, six more children have been hospitalized, with four dying at a Jammu hospital and three currently in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit. Alarmingly, these fresh cases are also linked to the previously affected families, raising concerns about the disease's transmission pattern.
He said that patients exhibit symptoms such as fever, vomiting, sweating, dehydration, and episodic loss of consciousness. Despite the deployment of expert teams to conduct field studies and collect food, water, and blood samples for analysis, the exact cause of the disease remains unidentified.
He emphasized, "Despite these efforts, the situation continues to escalate. Panic and fear have gripped Badhaal village as the outbreak spreads. Villagers live in constant anxiety, and the lack of clarity regarding the disease's origin and mode of transmission is exacerbating the crisis. The absence of conclusive findings or a public statement from the administration has deeply disappointed the community, further increasing their distress. We demand the immediate deployment of medical experts, epidemiologists, and resources to contain the outbreak and provide relief to affected families."
Khuehami urged the Union Health Minister to intervene immediately and ensure a thorough investigation into the cause of the outbreak. He also requested the deployment of medical experts, epidemiologists, and additional resources to assist with disease containment and patient care. "The affected families deserve transparency, relief, and adequate compensation for the tragic losses they have suffered," he said.
In addition to deploying more medical teams and resources, Khuehami urged fast-tracking the laboratory analysis of samples to identify the pathogen causing the disease. Enhanced communication between healthcare authorities and the affected population is also crucial to dispel misinformation and encourage timely reporting of symptoms.
"Villagers are reportedly living in a state of panic, with the absence of conclusive findings from the administration further deepening their anxiety," he asserted. The association has urged the government to constitute a high-level inquiry and deploy a team of experts to investigate the tragedy. "A time-bound report is essential to ensure accountability and justice," he said. "This health emergency requires immediate attention to prevent further loss of life."
He added that the Health Ministry must ensure the rapid analysis and sharing of test results to identify the pathogen responsible for the outbreak. Measures to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and provide logistical and financial support must also be implemented urgently.
"The tragedy in Rajouri is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by remote and underserved regions in terms of healthcare security," Khuehami said. "The lack of adequate healthcare infrastructure in such regions makes them vulnerable to crises of this nature. Immediate and transparent action is crucial to prevent further loss of life and restore confidence among the affected communities."
The association expressed hope that the Union Health Minister would take swift and decisive action to safeguard the health and well-being of the residents of Rajouri, prevent further loss of life, and alleviate the suffering of the affected population.
