17 dead of suspected cadmium poisoning in Kashmir village

Close relatives of the deceased have been relocated to the quarantine center of the Nursing College in Rajouri, increasing the number to 230.

 17 dead of suspected cadmium poisoning in Kashmir village. Illustration. (photo credit: Aman_Kaleem. Via Shutterstock)
17 dead of suspected cadmium poisoning in Kashmir village. Illustration.
(photo credit: Aman_Kaleem. Via Shutterstock)

A central inter-ministerial team continued its investigation on Friday, into the mysterious deaths of 17 people in Budhal village, in Kashmir. The fatalities, which include 13 children aged between three and 15, caused widespread panic among residents.

Officials stated that both the central team and local police are conducting separate investigations to determine the cause of the deaths. "As a precaution, more people, including close relatives of the deceased, have been relocated to the quarantine center of the Nursing College in Rajouri, increasing the number to 230," according to Hoy.

The mysterious illness first emerged on December 7, when seven persons in Budhal village fell ill after a community meal, as reported by Scroll. While several villagers attended the meal, only members of three families fell ill and subsequently died. The symptoms reported included fever, pain, nausea, severe vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and loss of consciousness before patients died within days of hospitalization, according to ETV Bharat.

Dr. Shuja Qadri, head of the Community Medicine Department at Government Medical College Rajouri, stated that investigations ruled out viral, bacterial, or microbial infections. "Based on our epidemiological investigations, as of now, we have concluded that it is not a bacterial, viral, protozoan, or zoonotic disease... The only remaining possibility is of toxins," Qadri told ETV Bharat.

Test reports revealed the presence of neurotoxins in samples from the deceased. Preliminary findings suggest that cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, may be the culprit.

The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs constituted an inter-ministerial team to investigate the cause of the mysterious deaths. According to News18, the team includes experts from the ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Agriculture, Chemicals and Fertilizers, and Water Resources, and is led by a senior officer from the Union Home Ministry.

Local authorities implemented stringent containment protocols in Budhal village. "Authorities declared Badhaal village a containment zone earlier this week, placing its 230 residents under strict quarantine," reported ETV Bharat. Homes of affected families were sealed off, and public gatherings, including wedding ceremonies, were banned in the area.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Dil Mir ordered the sealing of a local water source called 'Bawli' after tests of samples confirmed the presence of pesticides and toxic substances. "There is an apprehension that the population of the village may collect the flowing water of this spring stealthily," Dil Mir stated, according to Republic World.

"More than 200 food samples have been sent to laboratories across the country for testing. It is hoped that in a week or ten days we will be able to identify the toxic substance and implement control measures," Qadri told ETV Bharat.

The administration ramped up medical support in the region, reported Navbharat Times. A mobile medical unit and an ambulance are on standby to address any urgent medical needs.


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The tragedy deeply affected the local community. "Children are not going to school, the government has imposed a ban on wedding ceremonies, and people are afraid to meet each other. There was no such fear even during the coronavirus time," saic Muhammad Ishaq, a resident of Budhal, according to BBC News.

This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq