The Government has confirmed that the recent deaths in village Budhal, Rajouri, are not related to any communicable disease of bacterial or viral origin. Investigations have revealed that toxins present in multiple biological samples are the likely cause, according to the CSIR-IITR.
The unexplained illness, which has claimed 14 lives, has left one child in critical condition at SMGS Hospital. Prompt testing of samples from reputed labs such as the National Institute of Virology Pune, National Centre for Disease Control New Delhi, and others, has shown no signs of viral or bacterial infection. All tests have come back negative for communicable pathogens, ruling out any public health risk.
The first incident was reported on December 7, 2024, when a family of seven fell ill after a community meal, resulting in five fatalities. A second incident on December 12, 2024, involved a family of nine, claiming three lives. The most recent episode occurred on January 12, 2025, when a family of ten consumed another community meal, with six children requiring hospitalization.
In response, the Government took swift action, with the Health and Medical Education Minister, Ms. Sakina Itoo, visiting the site, holding several meetings with the District Administration, Health officials, and technical experts to determine the cause and provide necessary healthcare.
Chief Secretary J&K, Sh. Atal Dulloo, also led multiple high-level meetings involving experts and the police to ensure comprehensive fact-finding and effective medical intervention.
The Health Department has been providing the best possible treatment, and experts from top institutions, including the ICMR and NCDC, have been deployed to manage the situation and understand the causative factors. A video conference with Dr. Rajeev Bahl, Secretary of the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and DG ICMR, was also held to discuss strategies to rule out an epidemic.
Immediate steps were taken after the first case in December, including deploying medical teams, collecting food and water samples, establishing medical camps, and conducting door-to-door screenings. Experts from various institutions visited the area to assist in managing the crisis.
Toxicological analysis by CSIR-IITR has identified the presence of toxins in biological specimens, which appear to be the cause of the fatalities. In light of this, the Rajouri Police has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter further.
The Government remains committed to the safety and well-being of the people and is actively working to resolve the issue, ensure justice, and prevent any further incidents.
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