Experts have identified the cause of a mysterious illness that killed 17 people in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district—including14children—thathasbeencausingweeks of panic and uncertainty.According to Union Minister Jitendra Singh, thesicknessthatspreadfearsthroughoutBudhalvillageisnowrelatedtocadmium toxin.

What is the cause of the illness?

Testscarried out at the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research in Lucknow detected cadmium, Union Minister Jitendra Singh disclosed. Inaninterview with Dainik Jagran, he stated,

“How cadmium found its way inside the body is still a matter of investigation. No other virus, bacteria, or infection was found in the victims' samples. If there is any mischief, then we will know about it.”

What were the symptoms? 

Many of the victims had brain swelling—aresultof neurotoxins—doctorsobserved. Principal Government Medical College,Rajouri (GMC), Dr.A.S. Bhatia said:

“We try to mitigate the problem of patients reporting with brain damage, but once the patient reports with serious brain damage, we cannot reverse the condition.”

AfterrigoroustestingattoplaboratoriesincludingtheNationalInstituteofVirology,Pune,and the National Centre for Disease Control, the presence of neurotoxinswas confirmed.

Authorities are taking strong measures to control the situation:

The Budhal village has been declared a containment zone, and families in the neighborhood have been moved to safer locations.

Atthe Nursing College in Rajouri, more than 200 individuals who werein close contact with the familiesof the victimshavebeenisolated.

GMC Rajouri has acquired five anesthesiaprofessionals and five pediatricspecialists to support its team. Emergency technology is on standby, ensuring better care for affected patients.

Is the disease spreading?

Inthe last two days, six more teenagers—amongthem three siblings—have becomesick.They are now being treated in isolation wards at GMC Rajouri.

Aninter-ministerialgroup has beenset upbytheUnionHome Ministry to investigate the fatalities. J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah,meanwhile,went to Rajouri earlier this week and assured locals that the government is working to find a solution.

Eventhough the cause of cadmium pollutionis still unknown, health officials are closelywatching the situation to stopfurtherinstances.