At least eight female students from two districts in Odisha fell ill after consuming deworming tablets at their schools on Monday, officials reported. The affected students, from Balasore and Malkangiri districts, complained of vomiting, nausea, and severe discomfort shortly after taking the medication.

Six of the girls were rushed to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Soro, Balasore district, while two others were admitted to the district hospital in Malkangiri.

Health officials have assured that the students are receiving proper medical care and are in stable condition. Authorities are investigating the incident to determine the cause of the adverse reactions. Meanwhile, parents and local residents have expressed concern over the administration of deworming tablets without adequate precautions.

Deworming programs are routinely conducted in schools to prevent parasitic infections among children. However, health experts emphasize the importance of monitoring students after administering the medication, as some may experience mild to severe side effects.

The Odisha Health Department is expected to review the deworming process to ensure better safety measures and prevent similar incidents in the future.