In response to the recent investigation into a mysterious illness that has claimed the lives of at least 17 people in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, Union Minister Jitendra Singh has spoken out. First, Union Minister Singh spoke during the inauguration of a newly constructed bridge at Basantpur and disclosed the findings of initial tests by a toxicology laboratory in Lucknow under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
The first tests had ruled out anything viral or bacterial as the cause of the illness, the minister said. Instead, the findings suggested a toxin, which is currently being further analyzed. Singh pointed out that these tests ruled out common infectious agents. “It was a toxin, and the first test conducted by the CSIR toxicology lab in Lucknow showed no virus or bacteria. We are now in the process of testing different toxins to find out the precise cause. We know if there is any foul play or other issues, but that will come soon,” the minister said.
People, however, took this illness affecting the residents of Rajouri since early December 2024 seriously. Even so, 17 people have been killed, 38 have been affected, and local health authorities have not yet declared a public health emergency. The government has said that they are doing thorough investigations and that their health teams are working diligently to find out what is going on.
What has caused the illness remains a mystery, but the discovery of what could be a toxin has raised questions about environmental or industrial factors that might have been involved. He said that further tests are being done to determine exactly which toxin was used and to confirm public safety.
Join our whatsapp group for Latest updates