Published Nov 06, 2026 | 8:35 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 06, 2026 | 8:35 PM
Authorities suspect the fever could be linked to a post-cyclone viral infection.
Synopsis: All girls’ conditions are stable. Of the 71 fever-affected students, 30 have recovered, while 38 others are being treated in the hostel. Three others have been shifted to Kurupam Community Health Centre. Besides closely monitoring the situation, authorities are trying to find the source of the disease.
Health authorities in Andhra Pradesh’s Parvathipuram Manyam district have stepped up surveillance after 71 residents of a tribal welfare residential school hostel developed fever following two back-to-back cyclonic storms.
The fever outbreak after cyclones Arnab and Murasu prompted the authorities to open a medical camp on the school campus in Shivannapeta village of Kurupam mandal.
Of the 71 girls who took ill, 30 recovered, while 38 students were being treated at a dedicated section of the hostel. Three others have been shifted to Kurupam Community Health Centre for further medical care. All girls are stable, officials said.
Though the cause of the fever has not been established, authorities suspect it could be linked to a post-cyclone viral infection.
On Friday, 6 November, Director of Public Health R Venkataramana informed Health and Family Welfare Minister Satya Kumar Yadav that rapid diagnostic tests were conducted on 516 students present at the institution. One girl tested positive for Plasmodium falciparum malaria, while the remaining 515 tested negative.
The school has 559 girls enrolled, of whom 516 were present during the assessment.
Also Read: Cyclone Murasu crosses southern Andhra with wind speeds of up to 120 kmph
Initial test results of 44 fever-affected girls were normal. Their blood samples have been sent for further tests.
A special medical camp was conducted at the residential school on Friday, with specialists in general medicine and paediatrics examining the students.
The girls were being constantly monitored. The Health Department has also directed field-level medical officers and healthcare staff to maintain surveillance for fever cases in residential schools across the district and conduct medical examinations of students.
As part of the investigation, officials collected samples from the hostel’s three water sources and sent them for laboratory analysis. Officials from the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Department collected additional samples on Friday.
The hostel has two reverse osmosis (RO) water purification plants, one of which is undergoing repairs. In the meantime, the students were being provided boiled and cooled drinking water.
Officials said the hostel kitchen and premises were clean. Water test results received so far have also been reported as normal.
The Health Department said no fever cases had been reported in Kurupam village, located about one kilometre from the school.
The district health authorities have been instructed to continue monitoring students and provide immediate medical care to anyone who develops symptoms.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
