Union Minister Jitendra Singh says Rajouri’s ‘unidentified’ illness ‘not an infection or virus....it’s just a toxin’

Union Minister Jitendra Singh updates on Rajouri illness, no infection found, toxin presence being analyzed, mysterious deaths investigated.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Wednesday (January 22, 2025) provided an update on the mysterious illness in Rajouri, stating that initial tests conducted by a toxicology laboratory in Lucknow under CSIR indicated the absence of any infection, virus, or bacteria.

During the inauguration of the newly constructed bridge at Basantpur, Mr. Singh revealed that preliminary findings indicate the presence of a toxin, which is currently undergoing further analysis.

“I think the discussion has started but the first test was conducted by a toxicology laboratory in Lucknow, CSIR. The discussion was that there was no infection, no virus, no bacteria, it was just a toxin. Now the toxin is being tested. So there is a long series of toxins that are being tested...and if there is any mischief or any other mischief, then we will know about it,” he said.

Also Read | J&K unexplained deaths: Badhal village in Rajouri district declared as containment zone; houses of affected families sealed

The disease that remains unidentified has claimed 17 lives and affected 38 people since early December 2024. However, health department teams say there is no need to declare a public health emergency.

On Tuesday (January 21, 2025), J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited Rajouri’s Badhal and assured citizens affected by the disease.

CM Abdullah told reporters, “The day when we got the information, the health department along with other departments have been working to understand the causes behind such incidents... Tests were done, and we concluded that there were no bacteria or viruses that caused those deaths.”