In response to the deaths of 15 people from three interrelated families in Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has ordered the formation of an inter-ministerial team to investigate the cause of the “mysterious illness” that has plagued the region. The team will visit Budhal village, where the deaths occurred, and work with local authorities to manage the crisis and prevent further fatalities.
The mysterious illness has claimed 15 lives over the past six weeks, with the victims exhibiting symptoms such as fever, pain, nausea, and loss of consciousness before succumbing to their conditions within days of being admitted to hospitals. The situation first came to light on December 7, 2024, when a family of seven fell ill after consuming a community meal. Five members of that family died, prompting further investigation.
Just days later, another family of nine, related to the first, also fell ill after eating a community meal on December 12. This incident claimed three lives. A month later, on January 12, another family of ten fell ill after consuming yet another communal meal. Six children from this family required hospitalization, five of whom have died, and one remains in critical condition.
The Union Home Ministry’s team, which will depart for the region on January 19, will be led by a senior officer and consist of experts from various ministries, including health and family welfare, agriculture, chemicals and fertilizers, and water resources. Additional assistance will come from specialists in animal husbandry, food safety, and forensic science. The team will collaborate with local officials to provide immediate relief and assess precautionary measures to prevent future incidents.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has ruled out a public health outbreak, confirming that the deaths do not stem from any communicable viral or bacterial diseases. In response to the alarming deaths, the police have sealed the three houses of the affected families in Budhal village. These houses are located within a 1.5 km radius of one another.
Authorities are yet to determine the exact cause of the illness, but the government is prioritizing the investigation to address both the immediate health concerns and the long-term prevention of similar outbreaks.
The authorities are calling upon experts from some of India’s most reputed institutions to assist in the investigation, aiming to identify the factors that caused the deaths and prevent further tragedies in the area.
