A sudden malaria outbreak in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district has claimed the lives of two school students within two days, while 11 children studying in government-run hostels have tested positive for the mosquito-borne disease, prompting health authorities to launch an emergency response.

The district administration and the Health Department have intensified surveillance in affected areas, with medical teams conducting door-to-door screening and setting up health camps in hostels and nearby villages.

Health Department Confirms Outbreak

Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr. R.C. Thakur said the district has witnessed an unexpected spike in malaria cases over the past few days.

According to the health department, rapid testing, treatment and preventive measures are being carried out in the affected hostels. Authorities have also directed officials to closely monitor all government residential schools and hostels across the district.

Two Students Lose Their Lives

One of the victims was nine-year-old Kareena Vishwakarma from Domaharra village. She and her two sisters were admitted to the district hospital after developing high fever. Kareena died during treatment on July 25, while her sisters continue to receive medical care.

In a separate incident, nine-year-old Subhash Kumeti, a student residing at the Mardapoti hostel, also succumbed to malaria.

Officials said several students at the hostel had complained of fever and headaches. Medical screening confirmed malaria infection in four students. Subhash's condition deteriorated after he was taken home by his family, and despite being brought back to the district hospital, he died during treatment on Sunday.

Eleven Hostel Students Test Positive

Health officials said 11 students from the Iradah and Mardapoti government hostels have tested positive for malaria.

Medical teams have established camps inside the hostels, where infected students are receiving treatment while other residents are being screened to prevent further spread.

No Cases Detected Days Earlier

Assistant Commissioner of the Tribal Welfare Department Jaya Manu said all government hostels had undergone routine health screening on July 22, and no malaria cases were detected at that time.

However, infections began surfacing rapidly after July 24, indicating what officials described as a sudden outbreak.

Containment Measures Intensified

The Health Department has begun extensive surveillance in the affected villages and hostels. Teams are conducting fever screening, blood tests and distributing anti-malarial medicines.

Authorities are also carrying out mosquito-control measures, including awareness campaigns, inspections of waterlogging sites and preventive interventions in vulnerable areas.

Officials Urge Preventive Measures

Health officials have advised residents to use mosquito nets, wear full-sleeved clothing, apply mosquito repellents and ensure that stagnant water does not accumulate around homes.

People experiencing persistent fever, chills, headaches or body aches have been urged to seek immediate medical attention, as early diagnosis and treatment significantly improve recovery from malaria.

Kanker police on Tuesday said they have arrested four people, including the deceased man’s wife, in connection with a year-old murder that was earlier treated as a suspicious death. According to investigators, 32-year-old Mukesh Vishwas was given heavy doses of alcohol and, while unconscious, was killed by applying electric current using a tubewell wire.

Case reopened

The body of Mukesh, a resident of Dalli-Rajhara in Balod district, was discovered in the Bande area of Kanker on May 24, 2025. Initial post-mortem findings showed burn marks on both hands and fingers, and the cause of death was recorded as electrocution, but the case had remained unsolved due to lack of direct leads.

“Initial reports indicated accidental death, but irregularities prompted a fresh look,” said a senior police officer who asked not to be named. Superintendent of Police Nikhil Ashok Kumar Rakhecha later formed a special team to re-investigate pending leads and revisit forensic evidence.

Electronic trail, forensic work

Police said the breakthrough came after combined technical and scientific probes. Cyber cell analysis revealed frequent electronic communication between Mukesh’s wife, identified as Saraswati Vishwas, and one Indrajit Das (31). Investigators then pursued call and location data, and matched those findings with forensic traces from the scene.

“Using technical surveillance, electronic evidence and scientific analysis, we reconstructed the crime scene and established a link between the accused and the crime,” the officer said. Items seized during raids include a tubewell electric conductor alleged to have been used in the killing, mobile phones and other corroborative material.

Alleged conspiracy and motive

According to the police charge sheet, Saraswati and Indrajit were in a long-running extramarital relationship. Mukesh had reportedly been preparing to file for divorce, and domestic disputes over the relationship had escalated in recent months. Sources familiar with the probe said the couple’s personal tensions provided the motive for a planned murder.

Investigators allege that on the day of the crime the accused lured Mukesh to a hut in a field belonging to co-accused Ranjit Sarkar. There, the accused forced alcohol on Mukesh until he lost consciousness. The men then used an electric wire commonly used for tubewells to administer a fatal shock, the police said. Afterward, the group attempted to present the death as accidental.

Arrests and remand

The four accused — Saraswati Vishwas (wife), Indrajit Das (lover), Surendra Bachhad (28) and Ranjit Sarkar (39) — were arrested following coordinated searches in Kanker and Balod districts and subsequently produced before a magistrate, who sent them to judicial custody, police said.

Impact and wider probe

Local residents said the arrest has sent shockwaves through the Bande community, where Mukesh’s death had been the subject of rumours for months. “People had suspected foul play but the case went cold,” one neighbour said. “It’s a relief that police reopened it.”

Police added that the special drive has also led to fresh examinations of several pending blind murder cases in the district. Officials said their review has so far helped crack four old cases, including incidents registered from Narharpur, Tadoki and Durgukondal areas.

Next steps

Investigators say they will now seek to complete forensic profiling and finalize witness statements before filing a supplementary charge sheet. The case will be investigated under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including murder and criminal conspiracy.

“Further technical reports are awaited,” an officer said. “We will present all scientific and electronic evidence in court to ensure prosecution of the accused.”