One hundred and fifty-four students of Government Science Secondary School, Batagarawa, Katsina State, were hospitalised after a suspected adverse reaction to praziquantel tablets given to treat bilharzia.
The incident happened on Monday, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Katsina State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu.
Aliyu said the students reportedly developed symptoms of an adverse drug reaction after receiving the tablets from the school authorities.
Praziquantel is used to treat schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia. The disease is linked to contact with freshwater contaminated by the parasites.
The police spokesman said the affected students were taken to hospital for treatment, and no casualties or deaths were recorded.
He added that the remaining 25 students, who had been kept in hospital for further medical attention, have also been treated and discharged.
According to him, all the affected students are in good health and have been reunited with their families and schoolmates.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar Fage, thanked members of the public for their cooperation and calmness during the incident.
He urged residents not to spread unverified reports and rumours. He also assured them that the command will continue to protect lives and property across the state.
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