A total of 154 students of Government Science Secondary School, Batagarawa, in Katsina State, were hospitalised following a suspected adverse reaction to praziquantel tablets administered as part of treatment for bilharzia.
The incident reportedly occurred on Monday, October 26, 2026, prompting medical intervention for the affected students, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Katsina State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu.
Aliyu said the students developed symptoms consistent with a suspected adverse drug reaction after receiving the medication from the school authorities.
Praziquantel is a medication used to treat schistosomiasis, commonly known as bilharzia, a parasitic disease that can be contracted through contact with freshwater contaminated by the parasites.
The police spokesman disclosed that the affected students were taken to hospital for medical attention. He confirmed that no deaths or casualties had been recorded in connection with the incident.
He added that the remaining 25 students who had been kept in hospital for further medical observation and treatment had also been treated and discharged.
According to the police, all the affected students had recovered sufficiently to be reunited with their families and schoolmates, bringing relief to parents, school authorities and residents concerned about the incident.
The circumstances surrounding the reported reaction, including the precise cause of the symptoms and whether any additional medical assessment would be required, were not detailed in the police statement.
Although praziquantel is an established treatment for schistosomiasis, patients can experience side effects, and the cause of a suspected adverse reaction in a group of students requires appropriate medical assessment. The incident alone does not establish that the medication was defective or improperly administered.
The development has also highlighted the importance of medical supervision, proper communication with parents and prompt reporting when students experience unexpected symptoms following mass medication exercises.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Katsina State, CP Ali Umar Fage, commended members of the public for their cooperation and calmness during the incident.
He urged residents to avoid spreading unverified information and rumours, assuring them that the command would continue to work to protect lives and property across the state.
The police appealed for public cooperation as the situation returned to normal, with all affected students reportedly discharged and reunited with their families and schoolmates.
