A routine deworming drive intended to improve the health of children in Uttar Pradesh's Farrukhabad district ended in chaos as around 120 students were hospitalised shortly after receiving their medication.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety protocols surrounding mass health campaigns and the administration of medications to children of vulnerable populations.
The deworming campaign, aimed at students in government schools across the district, was part of the state's routine health drive.
The initiative, backed by the government, is designed to combat worm infestations, a common health issue in children, particularly in rural areas. However, shortly after the children received their deworming medication, several began to complain of severe headaches, nausea, and vomiting.
What happened?
At Jawahar Lal Pandey Devi School in Rathora Mohaddipur village and nearby schools in Kamanganj block, approximately 150 students received the deworming tablets. However, out of the 150 students, about 120 were rushed to local hospitals after experiencing adverse reactions to the medication. The situation created panic among parents, who immediately sought answers from local authorities about the safety of the drive.
“We administered the medication as part of the nationwide deworming program, which is typically safe,” an official from the health department reportedly said. “However, in this case, a few students had an adverse reaction. All of them were treated and are now out of danger.”
Local authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the reactions, with suspicions that either the dosage or the quality of the medication might have been responsible. "There was no prior indication that this would happen," one of the parents reportedly said. "It was supposed to be routine, but now we're left with many questions."
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While health experts stress that mass deworming campaigns are essential for addressing parasitic worm infections, they also caution that such drives must be carefully planned and executed.
"Deworming is important, but it should be done with caution, especially when it involves young children," says Dr Asmita Mahajan, Head Neonatologist & Paediatrician, S.L. Raheja Hospital, Mumbai. "In children, especially those who are school-going and above 18 months to 2 years of age, worm infestation is quite common and needs proper treatment. We usually advise parents to watch for symptoms such as recurrent stomach pain, abnormal stools or loose motions, and itching around the anal area. If these signs are present, there is a clinical suspicion of worm infestation, and deworming medication in the form of tablets or syrup is prescribed."
The dosage, say experts, depends on the child’s age. For children below two years, half a tablet or about 5 ml of syrup is given. If required, a second dose may be repeated after seven days. For children above two years, a full dose of 10 ml of syrup or one full tablet is given for effective deworming, says Dr Mahajan.
In certain age groups, especially among school-going children, these medicines are often recommended every six months to help keep them free from worm infestation, she adds.
If left untreated, worm infestation can lead to poor nutrition, anemia, persistent abdominal pain, and general weakness. Hence, giving the right treatment in the correct dose at the right time is important to prevent complications and ensure that children remain healthy, say experts.
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The incident has prompted questions about the level of oversight during these mass campaigns and whether more should be done to prevent such adverse reactions in the future.
As investigations continue, the district health authorities have promised a thorough review of the deworming program, ensuring that future campaigns are more closely scrutinised.
