More than 120 schoolchildren in Uttar Pradesh’s Farrukhabad and Mainpuri districts were hospitalised on 10 February after reportedly falling ill during the National Deworming Day drive. At Jawahar Lal Prema Devi School in Rathora Mohaddinpur village, Kamalganj block of Farrukhabad, nearly 100 students complained of headaches and vomiting shortly after consuming Albendazole tablets administered as part of the government’s preventive health campaign.
Smaller numbers of students in Mainpuri also reported similar symptoms. All affected children were rushed to nearby community health centres and district hospitals, where officials confirmed they are stable and recovering. District authorities, including Farrukhabad District Magistrate Ashutosh Kumar Dwivedi and Chief Medical Officer Dr Avanindra Kumar, have ordered an inquiry to determine the cause of the reactions, while political parties and parents have demanded accountability and transparency.
Children Fall Ill During National Deworming Drive
The incident unfolded during the annual National Deworming Day initiative, when government schools across the country administer Albendazole tablets to children to protect them from intestinal worm infections. At Jawahar Lal Prema Devi School, around 150 students were given the medication as part of the programme. Shortly afterwards, approximately 100 students began reporting symptoms such as nausea, headaches and vomiting.
Teachers and school authorities acted quickly, alerting local health officials and arranging transportation to nearby medical facilities. According to reports, 33 students were admitted to the Community Health Centre in Kamalganj, while 67 were shifted to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Farrukhabad district headquarters. Medical teams monitored the children closely and provided immediate treatment.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Avanindra Kumar stated that the deworming drive had been conducted across multiple schools in the district and that only students from this particular school reported discomfort. “All the students are stable and their condition is normal,” he said, adding that they were kept under observation as a precautionary measure. District Magistrate Ashutosh Kumar Dwivedi visited the hospital to review the situation and directed officials to ensure proper care and reassurance to anxious families.
A similar situation was reported in Mainpuri district, where nearly two dozen students at a government composite school in Nagla Keeratpur village also complained of illness after taking the tablets. Health officials there confirmed that most of the children were discharged after brief treatment and observation.
Outside hospitals, worried parents gathered in large numbers, seeking clarity about what had caused the sudden reactions. While doctors reassured them that the symptoms were not life-threatening, the sight of so many children falling ill at once understandably heightened fear and concern within the community.
Investigation Underway Amid Questions and Political Reactions
The National Deworming Day programme, observed annually in February and August, aims to reduce the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections among children aged between 2 and 19 years. Such infections can lead to malnutrition, anaemia and impaired cognitive development if left untreated. Albendazole, the medicine administered during the drive, has been widely used for decades and is generally considered safe when given in the prescribed dosage.
Following the Farrukhabad incident, district authorities collected samples of the medicine for testing and began reviewing storage, transportation and distribution protocols. Officials indicated that the investigation would examine whether the symptoms were caused by a reaction to the medication, improper administration, underlying health conditions, or even anxiety-induced responses among students.
Health officials have suggested that in large group settings, instances of panic or psychosomatic reactions can sometimes amplify symptoms among children. However, they have also emphasised that no conclusions will be drawn until the inquiry is complete.
The episode has sparked political reactions across the state. Leaders from opposition parties criticised the handling of the drive, with some alleging negligence and demanding strict action if any lapses are found. The Samajwadi Party described the situation as a serious public health concern, while representatives of the Aam Aadmi Party and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) called for a thorough probe into the quality and storage of the tablets.
Amid the political exchanges, district officials reiterated their commitment to a fair and transparent investigation. They have urged the public not to spread rumours and to rely on verified updates from the administration. Schools in the region have also been asked to cooperate fully with health authorities during the review process.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Incidents involving children’s health inevitably stir deep emotions. Parents entrust schools and public institutions with the well-being of their children, and any event that threatens that trust demands sensitivity, transparency and swift action. While preventive healthcare initiatives such as National Deworming Day have played a crucial role in addressing malnutrition and parasitic infections among millions of Indian children, the credibility of such programmes rests on consistent safety standards and clear communication.
At moments like this, it is important to balance concern with evidence. Albendazole has a long record of safe use, and isolated adverse reactions whether medical or anxiety-driven should be investigated thoroughly before conclusions are drawn. Equally, authorities must recognise the fears of families and respond with empathy rather than dismissal. Timely updates, open sharing of investigation findings and strengthened on-ground protocols can go a long way in restoring public confidence.
