In a good news, no new case of mysterious illness has been reported from the Badhal village in Rajouri district since January 24 while 87 families comprising 364 individuals have been shifted from affected village, which 17 people died of mysterious illness, to Rajouri.
An official said to mitigate the situation and prevent further casualties, 87 families comprising 364 individuals were shifted from Badhal to Rajouri.
These families are currently housed at Government Nursing College Government Boys Higher Secondary School and GMC & AH and are under observation. Comprehensive arrangements have been made to ensure the comfort and safety of the affected families.
Families are being provided with meals, water, baby food, sanitary items, medicines, clothing and other daily necessities under close monitoring of the doctors and district administration.
The population from the Badhal village was shifted after the administration declared the village containment zone last week following the death of 17 persons due to mysterious illness in the village since December 7.
An official said for the families' comfortable stay , the district administration has provided 240 beds, 490 blankets, and 303 mattresses while keeping 176 beds, 300 blankets and 240 mattresses reserved.
“On-site medical team, comprising three doctors and six paramedics, has been put on duty round the clock. Critical care ambulances are stationed at the venues. Meals are prepared in kitchens under CCTV surveillance, with food samples sent for testing at NFL Ghaziabad and Patoli Food Testing Lab, Jammu,” he said.
Anganwadi workers and Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) are deployed to take care of below six children.
Temporary schooling arrangements are in place for school-going children.
Craft teachers and ITI instructors are providing training to individuals in tailoring and other trades. Sewing machines have been supplied by the Social Welfare Department.
“To ensure the safety of the remaining 808 households (3,700 individuals) in Badhal, the village has been divided into 14 clusters monitored by multi-departmental teams of 182 officials,” the official said.
All shops and establishments have been sealed, and ration is being provided under strict supervision. “Daily sampling of food and consumables is underway and 167 blood, urine and nasal swab samples have been collected for testing at GMC Rajouri,” the official said.
A control room under the supervision of the Additional District Development Commissioner has been established to coordinate efforts, address public queries, and provide updates to prevent panic.