J&K mystery disease: Toll rises to 17 as 6th, last child of family dies

The sixth and youngest child of Mohammad Aslam from Budhal village in Rajouri district succumbed on Sunday evening at Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu, taking the death toll in the ongoing health crisis to 17.

A mysterious disease has been wreaking havoc in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, claiming 17 lives and affecting 38 people since early December 2024.

Officials said Yasmeena Jan, the last surviving child of Mohammad Aslam, was admitted to GMC Rajouri last Sunday and later referred to GMC Jammu for advanced treatment on Monday. Tragically, she passed away during treatment.

Dr. Ashutosh Gupta, Principal of GMC Jammu, confirmed the death, noting that Yasmeena’s condition had been critical from the outset.

The tragedy has left Mohammad Aslam bereaved of all six of his children—four daughters and two sons—within a week. The family also lost Aslam’s maternal uncle and aunt to the same unexplained illness.

Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakina Itoo ruled out the possibility of a viral or infectious outbreak, citing extensive tests conducted at multiple premier institutes across India.

Meanwhile, a high-level team from the Union Government has reached Budhal village to investigate the cause of the mysterious deaths.

The situation has sparked widespread concern in the region as authorities intensify efforts to identify the cause and prevent further fatalities.

The Indian Army has been deployed to the area to provide essential supplies, including food, water, and shelter, to the residents.