Over 40 Dowa Secondary School Students Hospitalised After Taking Bilharzia Drugs

At least 45 students from Dowa Secondary School were on Monday evening rushed to Mponela Rural Hospital after experiencing vomiting and severe weakness following the administration of bilharzia medication.

Head teacher Saulos Mdalamba said the incident occurred after health personnel visited the school to administer praziquantel, a drug used to treat bilharzia.

According to Mdalamba, the affected students, comprising 24 girls and 21 boys, started vomiting shortly after taking the medication, while others became very weak.

He said all the students were taken to Mponela Rural Hospital for treatment, where they remain admitted.

Mdalamba added that the students are currently in stable condition, except for two boys who were still reported to be weak as of Tuesday morning.

Officials from the hospital were not immediately available to comment on the matter.

Source: Zodiak Online