A cerebral malaria outbreak in Jharkhand's East Singhbhum district has claimed the lives of at least three children, including two sisters who died within four days of each other, prompting health authorities to intensify surveillance, screening, and treatment efforts across affected villages in Potka block.
The outbreak has triggered a major public health response as fresh cases continue to emerge during the monsoon season, when mosquito breeding increases significantly. According to District Surveillance Officer Dr. Asad, an unexpected spike in malaria and cerebral malaria cases has been reported across the affected villages following the onset of the rains.
Officials said the outbreak has spread across nine villages, with 15 confirmed infections, mostly among schoolchildren. More than 20 patients, many of them children, have been admitted to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Medical College and Hospital in Jamshedpur and other healthcare facilities, with several reported to be in critical condition.
One of the most tragic incidents occurred in Kandar village under Harina Panchayat, where two sisters from the same family lost their lives to suspected cerebral malaria within four days.
Eight-year-old Subola Sardar died on June 26 after developing cerebral malaria. Her younger sister, one-year-old Khushbu Sardar, who had been battling the disease for four days at MGM Hospital, died on June 29, leaving their family devastated.
Earlier reports had stated that Khushbu was on ventilator support in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at MGM Hospital in critical condition before she later succumbed to the infection.
The sisters' father, Mahavir Sardar, said he is now struggling to arrange his younger daughter's last rites while worrying about his third daughter, who is reportedly suffering from a high fever.
Mahavir Sardar told Avenue Mail, "I have lost two daughters in four days. I don't know what to do anymore. I have neither the strength nor the money left to take my third daughter to the hospital. All I have now are tears."
Health officials have confirmed that at least three children have died during the outbreak.
According to District Surveillance Officer Dr. Asad, the deaths of 13-year-old Lakkhi Sardar of Sangram village and eight-year-old Rahul Sardar of Dauddoriya village have been confirmed as cerebral malaria.
Although Subola Sardar's death was initially reported as suspected cerebral malaria, subsequent local reports confirmed that she died of the disease. Four days later, her younger sister, Khushbu, also succumbed to cerebral malaria.
Lakkhi Sardar was a Class VII student at PM Shri Kasturba Gandhi Residential School in Potka. Her death prompted scrutiny of the treatment she initially received before being referred for advanced care.
According to a report by The Times of India, the outbreak has primarily affected children and students from villages in Potka block.
Among the newly identified patients are Priyanka Mahakud (15), a Class X student; Laxmi Tudu (12), a Class VI student; and Sukurmuni Bhumij (14), a Class VIII student from the same government residential school. Priyanka's mother, Salma Mahakud (32), also tested positive and was admitted to the Potka Community Health Centre.
Other patients include M. Sabar (3), Minki Sabar (15), nine-month-old Dilip Bhumij, Sampriya Singh (38), Kartik Singh (14), Amisha Bhumij (12), Bhim Sardar (17), Priya Sardar (3), Kapra Tudu (10 months) and Hindi Sardar (48). Several patients have been referred to MGM Medical College and Hospital or are receiving treatment at Tara Seva Sadan Hospital and the Potka Community Health Centre.
In response to the outbreak, health officials screened more than 600 villagers over two days and launched awareness campaigns across affected villages.
According to TOI, Dr. Rajni Mahakud, in-charge of the Potka Community Health Centre, said health teams have been conducting continuous surveillance, screening camps and community education programmes to promote early diagnosis and malaria prevention.
Health workers have also been carrying out door-to-door fever surveys, collecting blood samples from residents with symptoms, distributing antimalarial medicines where required, and encouraging people to seek treatment immediately instead of waiting for symptoms to worsen.
Officials have advised residents to use mosquito nets, eliminate stagnant water around homes, and seek immediate medical attention if fever develops.
District Malaria Officer Mrityunjay Dhawadia, Block Development Officer Arun Kumar Munda, Circle Officer Nikita Bala, and a state health team visited the affected villages and the community health centre to review the situation.
According to local reports, district officials have directed health teams to intensify surveillance in all affected villages and continue active case detection to prevent additional fatalities. The administration has also increased monitoring of patients admitted to MGM Medical College and Hospital.
Cerebral malaria is the most severe complication of malaria caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum. It affects the brain and can rapidly become life-threatening. Patients typically develop impaired consciousness or coma, and the condition carries a high risk of death. Survivors may experience long-term neurological and cognitive problems due to brain injury.
Symptoms often begin with fever and can quickly progress to severe neurological illness. Common signs include:
High fever
Severe headache
Repeated seizures
Confusion or altered consciousness
Coma
Brain swelling
Retinal changes affecting the eyes
Children often deteriorate rapidly after one to three days of fever, while adults may first develop headache, body aches and delirium before progressing to coma. Severe cases may also involve anemia, shock, kidney failure, metabolic acidosis, low blood sugar and multiple organ dysfunction.
Cerebral malaria occurs primarily in regions where malaria is common. In sub-Saharan Africa, it mainly affects children under five years of age, while in South and Southeast Asia, adults are more frequently affected. Although only a small proportion of malaria infections progress to severe disease, cerebral malaria is one of its deadliest forms.
The World Health Organization defines cerebral malaria as coma in a patient with Plasmodium falciparum infection when no other cause of unconsciousness is identified. The condition requires immediate diagnosis and treatment, as delays can significantly increase the risk of death and permanent neurological damage.
Kandar village and several neighboring areas, including Harina, Dengam, Udal and Kovali, have reported recurrent malaria cases in recent years. Officials noted that Potka block recorded more than 30 malaria cases in 2025, underscoring the area's continued vulnerability to vector-borne diseases.
Jharkhand remains one of India's malaria-endemic states, with transmission concentrated in tribal and forested districts, making continued surveillance and early treatment critical.
References:
1. Idro, Richard, Kevin Marsh, Chandy C. John, and Charles R. J. C. Newton. 2010. “Cerebral Malaria: Mechanisms of Brain Injury and Strategies for Improved Neurocognitive Outcome.” Pediatric Research 68 (4): 267–274. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3056312/
2. World Health Organization. “Malaria.” Accessed June 29, 2026. https://www.who.int/health-topics/malaria#tab=tab_1
(Rh/ARC/MSM)
