At least 13 people lost their lives within a month in a remote village in the insurgency-hit Sukma district of Chhattisgarh. Health officials remain baffled about the exact cause of these deaths, with the district administration confirming that two of the most recent five fatalities remain unexplained. According to reports, this mysterious illness first surfaced in Jammu and Kashmir before spreading to Rajasthan and has now instilled fear in Chhattisgarh.
In December 2023, the village of Bathal witnessed the deaths of 17 people in just one month due to an unidentified disease. The severity of the situation prompted authorities to impose strict containment measures, banning outsiders and advising affected families to stay indoors. The panic-stricken village even saw army intervention as health experts and government teams scrambled to diagnose and control the outbreak.
The recent deaths in Chhattisgarh’s Dhanikorta village, located about 30 km from the Sukma district headquarters and 400 km south of Raipur, have once again raised alarms. Reports indicate that all victims suffered from persistent cough and chest pain before succumbing. Nearly every household in the small village, situated in the Chhindgarh block near the Odisha border, has been affected, heightening fears among residents.
In response to the crisis, Sukma Chief Medical Officer Dr Kapil Dev Kashyap confirmed that five recent deaths had been reported. Dr Kashyap suggested that seasonal changes, particularly the Mahua harvesting period, might be contributing to the outbreak. Many villagers spend long hours collecting Mahua flowers in the forest, which, combined with extreme weather fluctuations, could be making them susceptible to illness.
“Three died in the district hospital due to age-related ailment, nd the causes of the other two are being ascertained. The main reason, our health teams have found, is the change in weather, coinciding with mahua harvest time, when villagers go into forests and collect mahua the whole day. This is leading to dehydration, and they are falling sick," TOI quoted the doctor as saying.
To curb further fatalities, health teams have set up medical camps in the village. ORS (oral rehydration solution) is being distributed to villagers, especially those working in the forests. Doctors are conducting door-to-door surveys, urging anyone experiencing symptoms to seek immediate medical attention. Villagers returning from strenuous labor are being closely monitored for signs of distress.
Government doctors revealed that they were alerted to the deaths only two days ago, prompting an urgent dispatch of medical teams. Blood and urine samples have been collected for analysis, but with all victims already cremated, autopsies could not be performed – leaving the exact cause of the deaths unknown.
Videos circulating on social media show distressed villagers mourning their loved ones. In one video, a visibly anxious man claims to be experiencing similar symptoms and fears for his life. Health teams continue to urge residents to report any signs of illness immediately, hoping to prevent further casualties.
