Jamshedpur: The authorities on Friday constituted a three-member team to probe into the recent deaths caused by cerebral malaria at several blocks in Jharkhand’s East Singhbhum district, officials said.
As per the official record, four minors died of cerebral malaria in Potka block, while two others who were suffering from other diseases lost their lives owing to mixed malaria since the outbreak of the vector-borne disease came to light in the last week of June.
However, unconfirmed reports claimed that nine people died of cerebral malaria during the period in East Singhbhum.
The district authorities set up an investigation team at the directive of Deputy Commissioner Rajeev Ranjan, according to a statement.
The team is headed by Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order) Mukesh Machhua, while its other members are Medical Officer In-Charge of Sadar Hospital Dr Ranjit Panda and Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) unit (epidemic diseases) expert Dr Asad, they said.
The DC directed the team to inspect the affected spots and check for negligence by medical officials or health workers in their service during the period.
The panel was asked to submit a detailed report within three days.
The statement said that action will be taken against those found guilty.
The DC also instructed the team to provide suggestions for better and time-bound treatment to patients to check the recurrence of the case.
At present, the spread of the disease has been contained to a great extent due to effective measures undertaken by the district administration, the statement said.
Among the nine blocks affected by the disease, Potka was the worst hit.
