Two children die of falciparum malaria in Kanker, health department intensifies screening drive
Raipur: Two children died of Plasmodium falciparum (PFR) malaria in Chhattisgarh’s North Bastar Kanker district on July 25 and 26, prompting the health department to launch intensive fever screening, rapid testing and surveillance across the affected areas.
The district health administration and the Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO), in a statement issued on Sunday, said both children had tested positive for PFR malaria and were provided treatment before their conditions worsened. Officials said medical teams have since intensified screening and referral measures under the ongoing Malaria Mukt Abhiyan.
The first victim, 10-year-old Subhash Kumeti, a resident of Duderapal village in Kondagaon district, was staying at Balak Ashram in Mardapoti, Kanker. On July 21, health personnel visited the residential school after two students developed fever and tested positive for PFR malaria through Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs). They were administered the first dose of Artesunate Combination Therapy (ACT) and Primaquine, while the remaining course was handed over to the school administration.
A health department team screened 46 children at the ashram on July 22, identifying two more PFR-positive students who were immediately treated. Kumeti tested negative during that screening.
However, he developed fever on July 24 and tested positive for PFR malaria at the Primary Health Centre in Mardapoti. Doctors administered the initial dose of anti-malarial drugs and instructed the school authorities about the remaining treatment. His family later took him to his native village in Kondagaon on July 25. After his condition deteriorated early the next morning, he was admitted to Government Medical College Hospital, Kanker, where he died during treatment on July 26.
In the second incident, Tijaram Vishwakarma brought his three daughters—Raveena (11), Salina (5) and Kareena (9)—to the Ayushman Arogya Mandir at Domaharra on July 23 after they developed fever. RDTs confirmed PFR malaria in all three girls, and health workers administered the first dose of ACT and Primaquine before handing over the remaining medication to the family.
The following day, Vishwakarma also fell ill and was shifted along with his daughters to the Community Health Centre at Dhanelikanhar in a 108 ambulance. Tests later confirmed PFR malaria in him as well. Kareena’s condition deteriorated, and she was referred to Government Medical College Hospital, Kanker, where she died during treatment.
Health officials said both affected localities had been covered under the Malaria Mukt Abhiyan on July 22, when screening had not detected any malaria-positive cases. Following the deaths, surveillance has been intensified, with health teams carrying out door-to-door fever screening, rapid diagnostic testing, prompt treatment and referrals to prevent further spread of the disease.
The health department said it is closely monitoring the situation and continuing active surveillance in vulnerable villages across Kanker district.
