Rajouri :- In a concerning development from Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, the death toll from an unexplained illness in Badhal village has risen to 16 after a 60-year-old woman succumbed to her condition at Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri. Jatti Begum, wife of Mohammad Yousuf, passed away within 12 hours of admission to the hospital, where she was rushed after falling ill on Thursday evening.
The situation continues to worsen as Mohammad Yousuf, the victim’s husband, is also among those battling the mysterious illness at GMC Rajouri. The outbreak has followed a disturbing pattern since its first appearance in December 2024, with multiple families affected after attending community functions.The tragedy began on December 7, when a family of seven fell ill after attending a local function, resulting in five deaths, primarily among children. The crisis deepened on December 12, when nine members of another family were affected, leading to three fatalities.
The most recent incident occurred on January 12, 2025, when ten family members fell ill after consuming a community meal, resulting in six children requiring hospitalization.Authorities are actively working to address the growing health crisis and provide support to the affected families, though the cause of the illness remains unknown. The string of incidents has created significant concern in the community, particularly given the pattern of illness following communal gatherings and meals.