Raipur, July 27 -- Two children died of cerebral malaria in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district, while five others are undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital as the district witnesses a rise in malaria cases during the monsoon, officials said on Monday.

The health department has intensified malaria screening in villages, tribal residential schools and hostels across Kanker. Chief medical and health officer RC Thakur said positive cases started emerging during the ongoing screening drive launched on July 24.

Cerebral malaria is a severe neurological complication caused by Plasmodium falciparum infection and can lead to coma, brain damage and death if not treated promptly.

Five children from different parts of the dis...