A mysterious virus is being investigated by health officials as Indian scientists warn residents to be vigilant against the infection which is causing sudden hair loss in those affected
A probe has been launched into a mystery virus which is causing sudden hair loss.
Indian health officials confirmed the investigation was underway into the health issue which is plaguing residents in multiple villages in the Buldhana region of Maharashtra, India. Rapid hair loss leading to baldness over a week has been reported as one of the symptoms of the illness, with cases reported in men, women and children.
People living in Borgaon, Kalwad, and Hingna in the Shegaon tehsils are experiencing significant hair loss. A resident of Kalwad called it a “distressing situation” which is now being looked into by Indian health bodies. Residents are reporting even slight pulls at their hair are causing bald patches to appear.
Villages are reportedly in a stage of panic as they try and come to terms with the severity of the virus, with a young boy seen pulling tufts of hair out in one village. Another man was seen easily pulling strands of hair from his head in another. The state health department in Maharashtra has since launched an investigation into the mystery illness.
Dr. Deepali Rahekar, the health officer in Shegaon, suggested that the problem could be linked to contaminated water. He said: “It could be due to polluted water. To reach a conclusion, we will analyse the samples we have collected.”
The health team discovered that approximately 50 individuals have already been impacted by the illness so far.
Medical experts are concerned about the possibility of rising case numbers and re working hard to safeguard the health of residents while other teams test for water contamination in an attempt to identify the cause of the hair loss virus.
Water samples from the villages have been sent for analysis as it is believed a harmful substance may be the cause of the mystery ailments.
District health official Amol Geete noted that most cases appear to involve a fungal infection of the scalp, a known cause of hair loss. They said: “We immediately dispatched an epidemiologist and a skin specialist to conduct an initial examination upon receiving the information.”
Dr. Rahekar says the team is closely monitoring the situation and providing treatment based on patients’ symptoms. Skin and hair samples from villagers are being collected by local health officials and sent to Akola Medical College for microscopic analysis.
Locals are being advised to take precautions and to protect their health until further medical examinations and water testing is complete.
Keratin, the protein responsible for hair and nail growth, originates from specialized cells beneath the skin. An imbalance triggered by external factors such as pollution or infection could be a potential reason for the abrupt hair loss.