Common Factor In All Deaths Is Involvement Of The Brain, Damage To Nervous System”: Principal Of GMC Rajouri On ‘Mysterious Illness’

RAJOURI, Jan 22: A mysterious illness has struck the Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in 17 deaths. Medical authorities have rushed to the area to investigate the cause of the illness.
According to Dr Amarjeet Singh Bhatia, Principal of Government Medical College Rajouri, a common factor among the deaths is the involvement of the brain and damage to the nervous system.
“Forensic departments from Chandigarh and Lucknow, and teams from MHA are present here. A common factor in all the deaths is the involvement of the brain and damage to the nervous system,” Dr Bhatia said.
He also emphasised the recovery rate of the people affected by this ‘unidentified disease.’ “Out of 9 patients that were admitted to GMC Rajouri, 5 recovered. We have conducted preventive CT scans also, but recovery becomes tough once the brain gets involved,” Bhatia said.
“We are hoping to find the cause (behind the illness) soon. We will educate the people and raise awareness among them like not to exchange foods,” he added.
While the exact cause of the illness remains unknown, authorities have ruled out bacterial or viral infections. The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, has assured citizens that the health department, along with other departments, is working to understand the causes behind the incidents.