Rayagada, July 11: Malaria is spreading rapidly among hostel inmates of various residential schools in Rayagada district with over 400 students of 40 schools testing positive for the disease.
As many as 21 critical students are undergoing treatment at hospitals. Several students were seen lying on the verandah of district headquarters hospital due to shortage of beds.
The malaria situation is out of control in several schools managed by the SC & ST Development department. As many as 18 students of Chandrapur high school tested positive for malaria on Wednesday.
The district welfare department had informed CDMO Dr LM Routroy in writing about the situation on July 2, 2024, requesting immediate action following which the district health department has now intensified its efforts to screen students across the district.
The affected children are currently undergoing treatment and are reportedly recovering. Special medical teams have been entrusted to check health of students with mild symptoms, said the CDMO.
However, the rapid spread of the disease among students has raised concern putting threat to the general population.
