Child dies, 70+ ill after anti-malaria drug drive in Andhra's Polavaram

A seven-year-old girl has died and more than 70 people have fallen ill after consuming chloroquine tablets distributed during an anti-malaria drive in Gollaguppa village, located on the Andhra Pradesh-Telangana border in Polavaram district.

The incident occurred after the medication was handed out last week during a fever-surveillance camp, which followed two villagers testing positive for malaria. District Collector K Dinesh Kumar said the girl lost consciousness after taking the tablet, with her condition linked to a sharp drop in blood glucose levels. She was moved from a primary health centre to Bhadrachalam Area Hospital in Telangana, where she died.

At least 15 children are among those affected. As a precaution, 54 residents were taken to Bhadrachalam Area Hospital, of whom 53 — 48 children and five adults — are undergoing treatment. Another 17 villagers are being monitored at a special medical camp. Officials said all patients are stable and none are in a critical condition.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has ordered a probe and directed senior health officials to the village. Three rapid-response medical teams from Kakinada, Rajamahendravaram and Vijayawada have reached Bhadrachalam, comprising assistant professors, postgraduate doctors and general physicians.

Kumar said the tablets were given in age-appropriate doses as per health department protocols, and quality-control tests on the medication were satisfactory. The specific batch used in the village has been sent to the Vizag Forensic Laboratory for analysis. Health profiles of around 270 residents are being prepared, with blood tests checking for sickle cell anaemia and other conditions. Officials urged calm, saying the situation is being closely monitored.