Three children die in 48 hours as cerebral malaria cases surge in Jharkhand's East Singhbhum
Jamshedpur, June 28
At least three children have died in the last 48 hours in the Potka block of the East Singhbhum district of Jharkhand due to Cerebral malaria, officials said on Sunday.
This has created a serious health crisis in the region prompting the authorities to launch a mass scale survey.
Fresh cases are still emerging from affected villages, while more than 20 patients -- many of them children -- have been admitted to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Medical College and Hospital in Jamshedpur. Several of them are said to be in critical condition.
In view of the severity of the outbreak, the health department has intensified surveillance, large-scale screening, and medical intervention across nine villages in Potka.
District Surveillance Officer Dr Asad said that with the onset of the monsoon, an unexpected spike in malaria and cerebral malaria cases has been reported across these villages. He also confirmed fatalities among children.
The deceased have been identified as Lakhkhi Sardar, a Class VII student of PM Shri Kasturba Gandhi Residential School; Rahul Sardar (8) from Daudrodia village; and Subola Sardar (8) from Kandar village.
Meanwhile, Subola's one-year-old sister, Khushboo Sardar, has also contracted the infection and is currently on ventilator support in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at MGM Hospital.
During intensive screening drives, over 14 new cases have been detected, including three students from the Kasturba Gandhi school and a nine-month-old infant from the Sabar tribal community.
Health teams have so far screened over 600 residents in the affected areas through special medical camps.
Amid the crisis, the administration has sealed a private clinic in Potka following allegations of negligence in the treatment of Lakhkhi Sardar.
Investigations have revealed that despite clear symptoms of cerebral malaria, proper treatment was not administered. A show-cause notice has also been issued to the clinic operator.
A high-level team from the health department inspected the Potka Community Health Centre and expressed concern over inadequate resources. Instructions have been issued to ensure the immediate availability of additional spray pumps, rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits, and essential life-saving medicines.
The department has launched a mass fever survey, door-to-door screening, and mosquito-borne disease control measures across the affected regions.
Medical officials have urged residents not to ignore symptoms such as high fever, chills, headache, vomiting, unconsciousness, or seizures, and to seek immediate medical attention.
The health officials have advised people to use mosquito nets regularly, wear full-sleeved clothing, and prevent water stagnation around the places they live.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone from Jharkhand, this hits close to home. Monsoon always brings malaria outbreaks, but cerebral malaria is a different beast. The fact that a private clinic failed to treat a child properly is alarming. We need better training for rural healthcare workers and more awareness campaigns. Also, the Center should release emergency funds immediately.
This is unacceptable in the 21st century. ❌ Malaria is preventable and treatable, yet children are dying because of lack of basic healthcare infrastructure. Kudos to the health teams doing door-to-door screening, but we need long-term solutions—better drainage, proper sanitation, and accessible medicines. Not just temporary band-aids during crises.
I'm a doctor in a semi-urban area, and I see this pattern every monsoon. The real issue is that many families in remote villages don't recognize early symptoms like fever and headache as dangerous. They rely on local quacks or delay treatment. The government should start a mass awareness campaign in tribal languages, and also ensure ASHA workers are equipped with RDT kits and antimalarials.
Painful to read about such preventable deaths. I work in global health, and India has made great strides in malaria control, but cerebral malaria remains a killer in underserved areas. The clinic sealing is a step in the right direction, but the health department's own inspection findings—shortage of spray pumps and medicines—show systemic failure. This needs urgent action.
It's a shame that in a country that sends rockets to Mars, children are dying from mosquito bites. 🚀🦟 The Potka CHC lacking basic resources is typical
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