Jamshedpur: An outbreak of cerebral malaria in Potka block of East Singhbhum district has killed 3 children and infected 15 more, mostly students, in the past 24 hours, health officials said on Saturday. Cases have been reported from nine villages, they said.Eight-year-old Subola Sardar of Kandar village died Friday. Lakkhi Sardar, 13, a Class VII student of a govt residential school from Sangram village, and Rahul Sardar, 8, of Dauddoriya village, died earlier after contracting the disease.District surveillance officer Dr Asad said Lakkhi and Rahul’s deaths have been confirmed as cerebral malaria. Subola’s death is suspected to be from the disease, pending official confirmation and case details.The new cases include students from the same school — Priyanka Mahakud, 15, a Class X student; Laxmi Tudu, 12, of Class VI; and Sukurmuni Bhumij, 14, of Class VIII. Priyanka’s mother, Salma Mahakud, 32, also tested positive for cerebral malaria and was admitted to the community health centre in Potka.Khushboo Sardar, 1, Subola’s younger sibling, was admitted to Tara Seva Sadan Hospital, Hata, in a critical condition. M Sabar, 3, Minki Sabar, 15, and 9-month-old Dilip Bhumij of Pitidiri village were referred to MGM Medical College and Hospital in Jamshedpur.At the Potka CHC, Sampriya Singh, 38, and her 14-year-old daughter, Kartik Singh, of Chandpur, are under treatment. Amisha Bhumij, 12, of Gomia Sai, and Bhim Sardar, 17, of Serengdih, are also admitted in Tara Seva Sadan. Priya Sardar, 3, of Mohandih; Kapra Tudu, 10-month-old, of Pota Tetla; and Hindi Sardar, 48, of Udal, were referred to the CHC.More than 600 villagers were screened on Friday and Saturday. Doctors urged use of mosquito nets, clearing stagnant water and prompt treatment if fever is detected.“Health workers across the block are conducting awareness campaigns in their respective areas to educate people about the disease and its prevention,” said CHC in charge Dr Rajni Mahakud.District malaria officer Mrityunjay Dhawadia, block development officer (BDO) Arun Kumar Munda, circle officer Nikita Bala and a state team visited the CHC and affected villages on Saturday.Vector-borne diseases have been reported in Potka block in previous years. In 2025, more than 30 malaria cases were reported. In recent years, Harina, Dengam, Udal and Kovali villages have been identified as malaria-prone areas in Potka block.
