Jamshedpur, June 28 : At least three children have died in the last 48 hours in the Potka block of the East Singhbhum district of Jharkhand due to Cerebral (brain) malaria, officials said on Sunday.

This has created a serious health crisis in the region prompting the authorities to launch a mass scale survey.

Fresh cases are still emerging from affected villages, while more than 20 patients -- many of them children -- have been admitted to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Medical College and Hospital in Jamshedpur. Several of them are said to be in critical condition.

In view of the severity of the outbreak, the health department has intensified surveillance, large-scale screening, and medical intervention across nine villages in Potka.

District Surveillance Officer Dr Asad said that with the onset of the monsoon, an unexpected spike in malaria and cerebral malaria cases has been reported across these villages. He also confirmed fatalities among children.

The deceased have been identified as Lakhkhi Sardar, a Class VII student of PM Shri Kasturba Gandhi Residential School; Rahul Sardar (8) from Daudrodia village; and Subola Sardar (8) from Kandar village.

Meanwhile, Subolaâ??s one-year-old sister, Khushboo Sardar, has also contracted the infection and is currently on ventilator support in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at MGM Hospital.

During intensive screening drives, over 14 new cases have been detected, including three students from the Kasturba Gandhi school and a nine-month-old infant from the Sabar tribal community.

Health teams have so far screened over 600 residents in the affected areas through special medical camps.

Amid the crisis, the administration has sealed a private clinic in Potka following allegations of negligence in the treatment of Lakhkhi Sardar.

Investigations have revealed that despite clear symptoms of cerebral malaria, proper treatment was not administered. A show-cause notice has also been issued to the clinic operator.

A high-level team from the health department inspected the Potka Community Health Centre and expressed concern over inadequate resources. Instructions have been issued to ensure the immediate availability of additional spray pumps, rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits, and essential life-saving medicines.

The department has launched a mass fever survey, door-to-door screening, and mosquito-borne disease control measures across the affected regions.

Medical officials have urged residents not to ignore symptoms such as high fever, chills, headache, vomiting, unconsciousness, or seizures, and to seek immediate medical attention.

The health officials have advised people to use mosquito nets regularly, wear full-sleeved clothing, and prevent water stagnation around the places they live.

/IANS