The death of four children within a week and a blood report has lent credence to fear of malaria thriving here.

According to sources, more than six villagers are suffering from high fever. Around a week back, eight-year-old Buchka Kumari, daughter of one Sanjay Roy died after suffering from high fever and other symptoms of malaria in Korabandh Darasan village in Bounsi block. The area falls around 32km southeast of the Banka district headquarters.

“We could not find out the cause of her death. After Shanti Kumari (8), daughter of Mahanand Roy, Asha Kumari (9), the daughter of Rajorath Roy and Sohobati Kumari (12), the daughter of Sanat Roy, in the village died, the disease was identified,” said Bolo Roy, a resident of Darasan village. Shanti, Asha and Sohobati died at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital.

Others like Anita Kumari (7), Kanak Devi, Md Sanul, Jaykant Kumar, Pappu Kumar are admitted at different private nursing homes in the district. “The blood report of the patients indicate malaria,” said Dr Lakshman Rajak, a private pathologist,

Banka civil surgeon Dr Ramashish Kumar said: “On Thursday, we came to know about the disease and asked the in-charge of Bounsi referral hospital to visit the village and report to me by evening.”

Dr Bhagwan Das, the in-charge of Bounsi referral hospital, said: “A team of doctors on Thursday visited the village and collected blood samples of patients and distributed medicines. We can come to any conclusion only after the pathology tests are conducted.”