Indian authorities are investigating the cause of the “mysterious” deaths

Officials are investigating the “mysterious deaths” of more than a dozen people – most of them children – in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

At least 17 people, including 12 children, have died in Badhal village in Jammu's Rajouri district since December 7.

The victims initially showed symptoms similar to food poisoning but suddenly lost consciousness, health officials said.

The village has been declared a protected area, but authorities have said the disease does not appear to be infectious and there is no fear of an epidemic.

Dr AS Bhatia, head of a local hospital, said the first five patients – including four children – who were admitted had symptoms similar to food poisoning, including vomiting and diarrhoea. Others complain of sore throats and breathing problems.

But then everyone would suddenly lose consciousness, he added.

The federal government has ordered an investigation. A special investigation team set up by the local administration, including police officers, pathologists and other specialists questioned dozens of people so far.

According to initial studies, the cause may be consumption of contaminated food and water. Villagers were asked not to drink water from a local spring after a test sample showed it contained traces of test-detected pesticides.

The deaths occurred between December 7 and January 19, and the victims were members of three related families. Six of the dead are children brothers and sistersaged seven to 15 years. Their houses are sealed.

Although doctors have ruled out the possibility of infection, an administrative order said people identified as close contacts of the three families are being shifted to a government hospital in Rajouri, where their condition will be monitored. The order also requires all other residents of Badhal to consume only food and water provided by the administration.

“All edible materials in the infected households will be confiscated by the authorities,” the order said.

At least 10 people have been admitted to hospitals in Rajouri city, Jammu and Chandigarh and are undergoing treatment.

Dr Shuja Quadri, an epidemiologist at Rajouri State Medical College, said the disease was localized and they had ruled out viral, bacterial, protozoan and zoonotic infections.

Of the second group of patients admitted on December 12, five have recovered, including a one-year-old child.

“It was a ray of hope for us,” Dr Bhatia said.

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