Unusual death toll raised to 7 in Rajouri, two minor siblings died on Thursday

• Death toll raised to 7 within 5 days: 1-year old among 2 under treatment in GMC Rajouri.
• Teams of epidemiology and microbiology from Jammu to visit the village on Friday for investigation.

Shyam Sood
Rajouri, December 12: Within five days of heart-wrenching tragedy in which five members out of 6, including four minor children, have lost their lives due to suspected food poisoning in Rajouri district, today (December 12) tragedy again struck in the same area and out of 3 siblings 2 died while third is struggling for life in a Jammu hospital. Lost.
The suspected food poisoning incidents have shaken Badhal village & adjoining areas in Koteranka subdivision of Rajouri district.
After the deaths of 2 siblings today-namely Nazia Akhter (6 years, died at home), and Ishtiaq Ahmed (9 yrs-died on way to Jammu), children of Mohd Rafiq residents of Badhal-Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma; CMO, Dr M L Rana; Additional DC, Koteranka and Additional SP Rajouri along with health team from GMC Rajouri rushed to the village.
Another son of Mohd Rafiq, namely Ishfaq Ahmed (10) was referred to the children’s hospital from GMC Rajouri in the evening today.
CMO and health team after examining the villagers on spot found a I year old Sultan s/o Mohd Rafiq and Nishat Bano (46 yrs) w/o Mohd Muneer and both were referred to GMC Rajouri.
“At present two suspected cases of food poisoning are under treatment in Associated Hospital GMC Rajouri, and both are stable” said Dr Shamim Choudhary Medical Superintendent.
“We had detailed interaction with the female members of the affected families about what they had taken in the food last night/few days. Health teams have also lifted the samples of cooked/uncooked food items and sent for detailed analysis to determine the source and nature of the contamination,” said Abhishek Sharma.
“The report of water samples lifted after the December 8 incident is satisfactory” he added.
The DC, Abhishek Sharma informed that a Magisterial inquiry has been initiated into the deaths due to suspected food poisoning. ADC Koteranka will conduct the inquiry.
He added that the entire area is under surveillance of various teams from various departments and efforts are being made to find out the cause behind these deaths.
“On Friday two teams from GMC Jammu and Directorate of Health Services will also visit the area for investigation about the reasons behind the suspected deaths due to food poisoning,” said the DC.
“Preliminary investigations in the deaths suggest food poisoning. Health authorities are working diligently to uncover the cause of these devastating incidents. The exact reason will be clear only after reports of laboratory examination,” said CMO.
In the wake of 7 deaths there is a heightened focus on ensuring that such incidents do not recur, with authorities looking to implement stricter food safety regulations and guidelines.
Deputy Commissioner Rajouri has appealed to the people of the area not to get panicked. The authorities have issued emergency phone numbers for any exigency which include Dr Shuza Qadri (Community Medicine) 81484 80182; Dr Javid Iqbal (Forensic Medicine) 78896 47091; Dr Ibrar (Child Specialist) 96221 78112; Dr Liaqat (Child Specialist) 70066 46773; and Dr Sameer Abrol (Physician/Gastroenterologist): 88037 73626.
On December 8, four members of a family, including 3 minor children namely Rukhsar (12), Farana (10), Rabia (14) and father namely Fazal Hussain, residents of Badhal Gorla died due to suspected food poisoning while deceased’s wife Shamim and 4 years-old son Raftar Ahmed were admitted in Jammu hospitals.
Raftar died today while under treatment in the children’s hospital today.