Indian officials are investigating the cause of the “mysterious” deaths

Officials are investigating the “mysterious deaths” of more than a dozen people, most of them children, in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

Since December 7, at least 17 people, including 12 children, have been killed in Badhal village in Jammu’s Rajouri district.

The victims initially showed symptoms similar to food poisoning, but suddenly lost consciousness, health officials said.

The town has been declared a containment zone, but according to the authorities, the disease does not appear to be infectious, and there is no fear of an epidemic.

Dr AS Bhatia, head of a local hospital, said the first five patients admitted – including four children – had symptoms similar to food poisoning, including vomiting and diarrhoea. Others complained of sore throats and breathing problems.

But then, everyone would suddenly lose consciousness, he added.

The federal government has ordered an investigation. A special investigation team formed by the local administration, made up of the police, pathologists and other specialists, ask dozens of people so far.

According to initial research, consumption of contaminated food and water may be the cause. Residents of the town have been asked not to drink water from a local spring, after a test sample showed that it contained traces of the pesticide found.

The deaths occurred between December 7 and January 19 and the victims were members of three related families. Six of the dead were children brothers and sisterswith ages between seven and 15 years. Their houses have been sealed.

While doctors have ruled out the possibility of infection, an administrative order says people identified as close relations of the three families are being taken to the government hospital in Rajouri, where their condition will be monitored. The order asks all other residents of Badhal to consume only food and water provided by the administration.

“All edible materials from contaminated houses will be confiscated by the authorities,” the order said.

At least 10 people have been admitted to hospitals in 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 the possibility of viral, bacterial, protozoan and zoonotic infections has been ruled out.

Among the second patients admitted on December 12, five people have recovered, including a one-year-old child.

“This was a ray of hope for us,” Dr. Bhatia said.

Follow BBC News India Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.