India: Mass hair loss in Maharashtra villages sparks health investigation

Dubai: A bizarre and alarming health issue has struck three villages in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district, where residents are experiencing rapid and unexplained hair loss, reports in Indian media said.

Over the past week, men and women from Borgaon, Kalwad and Hingna, located in the Shegaon tehsil, have reported losing their hair in large patches, with some becoming completely bald within days.

Disturbing footage shared by villagers shows hair falling out effortlessly, even with a light tug.

Residents have expressed fear as bald spots appear within a week of the onset of hair loss, according to NDTV .

So far, around 50 people have been affected, and health officials are concerned that the number could rise.

Health officials suspect that water contamination, potentially caused by fertilisers, may be the reason behind this unusual phenomenon.

A team from the district health department has collected water, skin and hair samples from the affected areas for testing.

Dr. Deepali Rahekar, a Shegaon health officer who visited the villages, noted, “It could be due to polluted water. We have collected samples and will test them to reach a conclusion.”

The incident has prompted senior district health officials to visit the villages. Rama Patil Tharkar, the Village Sarpanch and president of the Village Sarpanch Association, expressed concern, stating, “A strange disease has spread in my village for the last ten days. Citizens are losing their hair, and there’s an atmosphere of fear. I informed the District Health Officer three days ago.”

While the exact cause remains under investigation, villagers have been advised to take precautions and maintain good hygiene, according to Times of India.

Officials are awaiting test results to confirm whether the issue stems from water pollution, a health-related condition or another factor.