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

“All edible materials in the infected households shall be seized by the authorities,” the order said.

At least 10 people have been admitted for treatment in hospitals in Rajouri, Jammu and Chandigarh city.

Dr Shuja Quadri, an epidemiologist at the Government Medical College in Rajouri, said that the disease is localised and that they have ruled out the possibility of viral, bacterial, protozoal and zoonotic infections.

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

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

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