NIV, NCDC, PGI expert teams reach Jammu for investigation: GMC Jammu Dean

Jammu, Dec 14: Dean and Principal, Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu, Prof (Dr) Ashutosh Gupta Saturday stated that the teams of experts from NIV-Pune, NCDC-Delhi and PGI-Chandigarh reached Jammu to investigate into real cause behind recent deaths in Badhaal village of Rajouri.

“There were five or six members of the family, viz., husband, wife and their children, with which this problem started. They had attended a marriage function. There was speculation about (it being a) food poisoning case. We are investigating that aspect also,” Dr Gupta stated, while giving a brief chronology of the incident, in a press conference here.

“Out of the affected members of the family, the husband passed away and two children were brought dead here. Wife is admitted with us and she is totally out of danger. One child, who is also with us, is doing well. At the moment, two patients are admitted in Rajouri (hospital). They are also fine,” he said, while briefing on the updated status of victims.

He revealed that GMC, Rajouri had constituted a team of experts to investigate the exact cause behind the incident.

“For the time being, going by our preliminary (investigation) report, we suspect that there may be a viral infection. However, to arrive at any final conclusion, we need to wait for the completion of the investigation,” GMC Principal said.

“For this purpose, we have elicited the help of experts from National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune; they have reached Jammu today. The teams from PGI Chandigarh and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Delhi have already arrived. They are investigating all the possibilities whether it is a viral outbreak or it is (result of) toxins. It will take some time to reach a final conclusion at the end of investigation,” he said.

“Having said that, we have not received any other such case after that, as of now; even if it is an outbreak; let me assure you, the situation is well under control. Our teams from the Health department, stationed there (at the site of the incident) for the past two days, have done a great job. They have screened all 1800 people of that area for any abnormal symptoms like fever, body-aches or drowsiness. We have been very happy to share that so far, we have not detected any abnormal symptoms. So from the Health and Medical Education Department’s point of view or from an administrative point of view, we reassure you – even if it is an epidemic, it is well under control. No new cases have emerged,” Dr Gupta said.

“Anyway we’re on the job to analyse secretions including saliva, nasal secretions to confirm viral infection or toxins, if any. It will take some time. In the meanwhile, we reiterate that the things are very well under control. This is official status from the Health and Medical Education Department. No new cases have been detected,” he reiterated.