Class 1 student dies after having high fever, breathing issues; 26 hospitalised

A seven-year-old student of a residential school in Maharashtra’s Palghar district has died after suffering from high fever and breathing difficulties, while 26 other students have been admitted to hospital with mild symptoms of cold, cough and fever, officials said.The incident comes weeks after three tribal girls died of snakebite at a residential school hostel in Gadchiroli district. Officials said the exact cause of the Palghar child’s death will be known after the post-mortem report is received.According to officials, the Class 1 student of the ashram school at Maswan developed high fever on August 22 and was taken to the local Primary Health Centre for treatment.

When the fever returned on Monday, the PHC medical officer found that his oxygen levels were falling and advised that he be shifted by ambulance to the Rural Hospital in Manor. After he was taken there, medical officers conducted an ECG and declared him dead, an official said.After the incident, senior health and administration officials visited the school. Of the 449 students enrolled there, 395 stay on the campus. A medical team carried out a full health screening at the school.

As a precaution, 26 students with mild symptoms of cold, cough or fever were placed under medical observation at the Maswan PHC, where their condition was stated to be stable, the official said.Integrated Tribal Development Project officer Vishal Khatri also visited the school and the health centre to meet the hospitalised students and their parents.“ As per the advice of the district health officer, a fresh health check-up drive was conducted at the Maswan ashram school.

Essential measures for campus sanitation and water purification are being carried out in the institution, and all necessary precautions will be taken to prevent the recurrence of such unfortunate incidents,” Khatri told PTI.Earlier this month, officials said nearly one student died every day on average in Maharashtra’s ashram schools over the last two years, taking the toll to 584 across state-run and government-aided residential facilities.

The causes included snakebites, sickle cell disease, serious illnesses, accidents and suicides.Amid criticism over the deaths of the three tribal girls in Gadchiroli, the government has announced corrective steps, including cancelling that residential school’s licence and ordering safety audits of such facilities across the state.The Palghar case has led to health screening, medical observation of symptomatic students and sanitation and water purification measures at the school, while officials await the post-mortem report to establish the cause of the child’s death.- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 25, 2026 10:03 IST