Rising Concerns as Brain Malaria Claims Four Childrens Lives in Jharkhand
In Jharkhand, brain malaria has led to the deaths of four children in just five days, raising alarms among health officials.
Jamshedpur, October 28 (Daily Kiran) : The outbreak of brain malaria in Jharkhand’s Kolhan division has intensified, with four children succumbing to the disease in just five days. This alarming trend has particularly affected the East Singhbhum district and its surrounding areas.
Among the recent victims was six-year-old Rahul Jamuda from Gopalpur in the Saraikela-Kharsawan district. He passed away on Tuesday at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Medical College Hospital after spending seven days in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). His condition had deteriorated to the point where he required ventilation.
Dr. K.K. Chaudhary, head of the pediatric department at the hospital, confirmed that Rahul was suffering from brain malaria. He had been on a ventilator since October 21, under constant medical supervision, but unfortunately, his condition did not improve. Family members reported that he had been brought to the hospital after experiencing high fever, severe headaches, and vomiting.
Earlier, another six-year-old, Shakuntala Sabar from Mohanpur in the Bodam block, also died at MGM Hospital. She was admitted with similar symptoms and tests revealed she had both cerebral malaria and Japanese encephalitis.
In a previous case, eight-year-old Budhni Munda, daughter of Mangra Munda from Ichagarh in the Saraikela-Kharsawan district, also lost her battle against the disease. She was suffering from brain malaria and severe anemia, while her two siblings were being treated for malaria at the same hospital. Additionally, one-year-old Aarti Sabar from Neemdih also died during treatment.
The infection has shown a significant impact in rural areas such as Potka, Musabani, Patmada, Dumaria, Ghatsila, and Chakulia. Last week, a special health screening campaign tested 11,517 people, revealing 71 confirmed malaria cases.
Of those infected, 55 were diagnosed with Plasmodium falciparum and 15 with Plasmodium vivax, with the highest number of cases—31—reported from the Potka block. In response, the health department has ramped up testing and awareness campaigns in affected areas and ensured the availability of essential medications at health centers. Authorities are urging residents to seek immediate malaria testing and treatment if they experience high fever, headaches, vomiting, or chills.
