Katsina Students Hospitalized After Bilharzia Drug Reactions

Sixty-four students from Government Science Secondary School, Batagarawa, Katsina State, were hospitalized after experiencing adverse reactions to drugs administered during a Bilharzia treatment and prevention exercise. Symptoms included vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and dizziness, with some students reportedly brought to the hospital unconscious.

They were treated at Ahmadi Rimi General Hospital and Turai Yar’Adua Maternal and Child Hospital. Dr Auwal Sani, Medical Director of Ahmadi Rimi General Hospital, confirmed that the affected students were responding to treatment.

Parents reported that their children were recovering. The drug administration was conducted by the Primary Health Care authorities in collaboration with Batagarawa Local Government Area, with dosages based on students' heights.

Yusuf Sulaiman Jibia, the Katsina State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, stated that all affected students had fully recovered and were being prepared to return to school. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the adverse reactions.