Jammu: Two children from the same family have died, and four others are hospitalized due to a mysterious illness in Budhal, Rajouri district, where the death toll has reached 10 over the past month. Health authorities remain uncertain about the cause of the illness.

According to a statement by Kashmir Media Service, the deceased siblings were from Larkoti hamlet in Badhaal village of Budhal tehsil in Kotranka sub-division. This area witnessed the deaths of eight members from two families due to a similar illness in December of the previous year, as mentioned by Director Health Services, Dr. Rakesh Magotra.

A senior health official in Rajouri reported that six children from the family of Mohammad Aslam in Badhaal village were taken to the Community Health Centre in Kandi (Kotranka) on Saturday evening. The children exhibited symptoms such as fever, sweating, vomiting, dehydration, and episodic loss of consciousness.

Initially, the children were referred to the Government Medical College (GMC), Associated Hospital in Rajouri. Subsequently, four were transferred to SMGS Hospital (GMC) in Jammu. The girl, Naveena Kouser, aged 8, passed away at 1:05 pm, followed by her brother, Zahoor Ahmed, aged 14, at 7:50 pm on Sunday.

Two of the siblings are receiving treatment in the Isolation Ward of GMC Rajouri, while the condition of two others in Jammu remains serious. They are in the Intensive Care Unit of GMC Jammu. The official added that the two children in Rajouri hospital will be transferred to GMC Jammu later in the evening.

The four children from Mohammad Aslam’s family currently being treated at GMC Jammu are Yasmeen Akhtar (15 years), Mohammad Maroof (10 years), Zabina Kouser (9 years), and Safina Kouser (6 years).