Students of different schools in Khordha, Angul, Subarnapur, Baleswar, Nabarangpur and Cuttack districts fell ill after taking de-worming tablets on the occasion of the National De-worming Day on Wednesday.
Over 40 students of the Brahmanabila Upper Primary School of Angul district were taken ill after consuming Albendazole tablet. More than 30 students of the Bandhahuda school in Narasinghpur of Cuttack district and 15 students of the Budhapada and Khududpur schools of Khordha district fell ill.
Seven students of the Chepapalli Upper Primary School in Sonepur block of Subarnapur district were also taken ill. While some of them complained of stomach ache, some others vomited. They were admitted to hospital.
Ten students of the Khairabani school in Nilagiri of Baleswar district and two students of a school in Nabarangpur district were also taken ill after taking the tablet.
Deputy Director of Health Biswa Bhusan Padhi said, “The de-worming tablet has minimal side effects, which last for two to three hours. The side effects could be a little more in cases of those with worm diseases. Some students might have complained of feeling unwell after seeing their friends complaining of stomach ache. For this, the students should be told not to panic and kept at relatively cooler place. If possible, sufficient drinking water should be provided to them.”
Health Secretary Arti Ahuja said, “The side effects of the de-worming tablet can be seen in persons suffering from any kind illness. There is no need to panic.”
Notably, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) is implementing the National Deworming Day in schools and preschools (anganwadis) across the country today with the goal to deworm preschool and school-age children between the age of 1-19 years at schools and anganwadi centres in order to improve their overall health, nutritional status, cognitive development and quality of life.