Health Department Steps Up Screening After Fourth Death in Potka

Key Points:

• Fourth brain malaria death in Potka in four days strikes Sardar family
• Special camps detect 29 fresh cases among 465 people screened
• Potka emerges as district’s largest hotspot with nearly 40 patients

JAMSHEDPUR – A growing brain malaria outbreak in Potka block has claimed a fourth life, deepening the crisis that has gripped the East Singhbhum region over the past four days, even as health authorities scrambled on Monday to screen hundreds of residents and uncovered dozens of fresh infections.

The latest victim, one-year-old Khushbu Sardar, died on Monday morning while undergoing treatment at MGM Hospital. She belonged to a family from Kandar village under Harina panchayat in the Potka block. Her father, Mahavir Sardar, had already lost his eldest daughter, eight-year-old Subola Sardar, to the same illness four days earlier.

A third daughter in the family remains infected and is currently receiving treatment. The family, described as economically weak, is now facing the dual burden of medical expenses and funeral costs for two children within less than a week.

Brain malaria, also known as cerebral malaria, is a severe complication of malaria infection that affects the brain and can be fatal if not treated promptly. Officials said the disease has now killed four people in the block since the outbreak began.

Dr. Rathore, a pediatrician at MGM Hospital, said critically ill patients were being treated at the facility and provided with the necessary medical care. Meanwhile, the health department intensified its surveillance efforts following the latest death.

Authorities organised special screening camps at seven locations across Potka on Monday. During the drive, 465 people were examined, and the screening uncovered 29 new cases of brain malaria. All those found infected have been given medication, and treatment has begun.

Villagers were also advised to take precautions against mosquito breeding and to maintain cleanliness in their surroundings. However, residents have alleged that an adequate number of mosquito nets have still not been distributed in the affected areas.

Potka MLA Sanjeev Sardar has been visiting affected villages as part of the response. He arranged for bleaching powder to be sprayed in several localities at his personal initiative and appealed to villagers to remain alert.

According to health department figures, Potka has now emerged as the largest hotspot for brain malaria in the district, with the number of patients there nearing 40. Across the wider East Singhbhum district, more than 66 cases have been recorded so far. Besides Potka, patients have also surfaced in Gudabandha, Parsudih, Rajnagar and Chandil.

In a related development, deputy commissioner Rajiv Ranjan had earlier visited brain malaria patients at MGM Sadar Hospital, while a state-level team had also inspected the affected villages following three earlier deaths. More than 20 patients, many of them children, had been admitted to the hospital amid the worsening situation. The health department has said it intends to further intensify its surveillance, testing and treatment campaign as infections continue to rise.

The outbreak has unfolded against the backdrop of an active filaria eradication drive already underway in the district, while local health centre infrastructure in the wider Jamshedpur area continues to expand. Officials in neighbouring blocks have also been reviewing development schemes in recent weeks.