JAMMU, Feb. 5 -- At least 350 villagers from Badhaal village remain quarantined in three government facilities since January 23 and they continue to get food and water under government surveillance, said officials.

Following 16 deaths of villagers that included 13 children since December 7 last year due to a mysterious illness in Badhaal village, the government had quarantined 350 villagers in government nursing college, government higher secondary school and government medical college at Rajouri.

Additional deputy commissioner, Kotranka, Dil Mir Choudhary said, "350 people, who were shifted to three government facilities on January 23, still remain quarantined. The health department is likely to keep them under surveillance for 21 days...