Chaibasa, October 26: At least five thalassemia-affected children in West Singhbhum district have reportedly tested HIV positive following routine blood transfusions at Sadar Hospital, prompting a high-level investigation by the Jharkhand Health Department. The first case came to light when a child who received a transfusion on September 13 tested HIV positive during a follow-up on October 18. The child’s father subsequently filed a complaint alleging negligence by a blood bank technician.

Following media coverage, the Jharkhand High Court took suo motu cognizance, and a team from the Jharkhand State AIDS Control Society (JSACS), led by Dr. Dinesh Kumar, Director of Health Services, visited Chaibasa on October 25. The team reportedly found four additional HIV-positive children, taking the total to five. Mau HIV Crisis: UP District Records 2,394 Confirmed Cases of HIV/AIDS, Including 85 Children; Unprotected Sex Among Key Factor Behind Rise.

Deputy Commissioner Chandan Kumar said the affected children had been receiving blood transfusions every 15 to 30 days over several years. He added, “Recent screenings revealed five positive cases that were never tested before. The children had different blood groups, indicating the infections may not have originated from a single donor.” HIV Outbreak in Nainital: At Least 20 Men Test Positive for Virus After Having Sex With ‘Drug-Addict’ Teen in Uttarakhand.

Authorities are working on three fronts: confirming the results through further tests, tracing all blood donors linked to these transfusions, and verifying whether the infection could have occurred due to undetected HIV-positive donors. While most transfusions were conducted at government hospitals like Sadar Hospital, some came from private sources.

Dr. Dinesh Kumar noted that blood bank documents appear in order but emphasized that procedural improvements are needed. The blood bank will undergo sterilization as part of the ongoing investigation. Civil Surgeon Dr. Sushanto Majhee confirmed that all linked blood donors are being re-tested and said it is premature to conclude that the blood bank directly caused the infections. Three of the five children belong to tribal families and are under medical supervision.

The Health Department has urged calm and assured that stringent measures are being implemented to prevent further infections.

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