Unknown disease grips border areas of Nowshera
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, September 20
As many as 12 persons died of an unknown disease in border areas of Nowshera here in the past two weeks whereas more than 50 suspects have been admitted in various hospitals across this border district yesterday.

Even as the block medical officer, Nowshera, has said the disease is spreading in other areas outside its epicentre, the deputy director, Health Services, Jammu said this disease was not communicable and was due to consumption of polluted water.

The disease was first reported from the border area of Bhawani, Nonial, Jhangar, Chowki, Langar and Ganiya of Nowshera, but is now spreading to the adjoining areas of Kalakote and Sunderbani.

Sources in the Health Department said 12 persons had died due to this unknown disease in the past two weeks. They said the deceased include a couple from Ganiya village, two persons from Nonial village, a student and a housewife from the Langar area.

Confirming the disease, block medical officer (BMO), Nowshera, Rajinder Singh Samyal said a majority of suspects complained of high fever and jaundice. “We received nearly 15 patients in the past one week and admitted more than 25 suspects since Friday.

We have also referred some patients to Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu. Only today we referred a housewife from Garan village to the GMC since her condition was quite serious.”

District health officer Sadiq Khan said some cases had been reported from Kalakote and Sunderbani tehsils also. He said the department had launched a household survey in Nowshera and other areas and the report would probably come out within five days.

Deputy director, Health Services, Jammu, AK Verma said there was nothing to worry and the situation was under control. “Though the exact cause of the disease is not known yet, it could be polluted water. We have asked the Water Supply Department to use bleaching powder to clear the water and request people also to use the same in their water tanks.”