Anti-malaria drug causes mass illness in Andhra village; child dies

A mass poisoning incident has raised serious questions about a malaria prevention drive in Andhra Pradesh after residents of Gollaguppa village experienced severe adverse reactions to anti-malaria medication. Of 71 villagers administered the tablets, 52 fell ill with symptoms including vomiting and acute breathing difficulties, officials said.

The incident claimed the life of a seven-year-old girl, while 23 children were shifted to medical facilities in neighbouring Telangana for intensive care. The affected villagers were rushed to nearby hospitals as their conditions deteriorated rapidly following tablet consumption.

The District Collector stated that all hospitalized patients were currently out of immediate danger, though investigations have been launched into the circumstances surrounding the drug distribution and the batch of medication used. Health department officials are examining whether the tablets were expired, improperly stored, or if there were procedural lapses in the administration of the preventive medication.

This incident underscores ongoing concerns about the implementation of public health programmes in rural areas and the need for stricter quality control measures in drug distribution networks across the region.