Although doctors have ruled out the possibility of infection, the administrative order says that people identified as close contacts of the three families are being transferred to a government hospital in Rajouri, where their condition will be monitored. The order also asks all other residents of Badhal to consume only food and water provided by the administration.
“All food materials in infected households must be confiscated by the authorities,” the order reads.
At least 10 people have been admitted to hospitals in the cities of Rajouri, Jammu and Chandigarh and are undergoing treatment.
Dr. Shuja Quadri, an epidemiologist at the Government Medical College, Rajouri, said the disease is localized and that they have ruled out viral, bacterial, protozoan and zoonotic infections.
Among the second group of patients admitted on December 12, five people, including a one-year-old child, have recovered.
“It was a ray of hope for us,” Dr. Bhatia said.
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