Mysterious Rajouri infection: two more children fall ill

A 25-year-old man has been airlifted to PGI Chandigarh while two more children were found with symptoms of a mysterious infection that has broken out in Baddhal Village of Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said on Wednesday.The sources said here that two more fell ill and were shifted to the Government Medical College Rajouri from CHC Kandi.They said that one Ajiaz Khan has been airlifted to PGI Chandigarh at midnight in an air ambulance provided by the Union Home Ministry.”His condition is stated to be serious,” they said.The children have been shifted to the Government Medical College Jammu and will be airlifted to PGI Chandigarh.Meanwhile, the administration has declared Badhaal village a “containment zone”.An order issued by the District Magistrate, Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma stated that the Badhal area has been declared as a containment zone and all gatherings in the region are prohibited.”The designated officials will oversee and monitor all meals provided to families within the containment zone,” read an order.Notably, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is already investigating the incident on the spot.The order further read that all families where deaths have occurred shall be declared as Containment Zone and the houses of these affected families will be sealed, with entry strictly prohibited for all individuals, including family members, unless authorised by designated officials.Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also on Tuesday visited Badhaal village to meet the families of the 17 individuals who tragically lost their lives.Expressing profound grief, the Chief Minister extended his condolences and assured the bereaved families of full government support.