NEW DELHI, (Economy India):Senior health officials in Andhra Pradesh are closely monitoring the situation in Gollaguppa village in Polavaram district after the death of a seven-year-old girl who had received malaria prevention medication along with several other residents.
The girl was among 71 people who were administered the malaria prevention drug as part of an ongoing malaria control and surveillance programme in the village. Following her death, health authorities have intensified monitoring and launched a detailed assessment to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to senior officials of the Andhra Pradesh Health Department, health teams carried out fever surveillance, Rapid Diagnostic Testing (RDT), a medical camp and school-based screening in Gollaguppa on September 1.
A total of 74 people were screened, of whom three were found to have fever. They were immediately started on curative anti-malarial treatment, officials said.
Specialist teams are now assessing the situation and reviewing the medical details of the affected individuals. Health authorities are also maintaining surveillance in the area to identify any additional cases of fever or malaria-related symptoms.
The incident has prompted closer monitoring of people who received the preventive medication. Officials are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death and determine whether it was linked to the medication or another underlying cause.
Health teams have been instructed to continue surveillance and provide medical assistance to residents whenever required. The authorities are also keeping a close watch on children and other vulnerable groups in the village.
The administration has stressed the importance of timely testing and treatment as part of efforts to control malaria transmission in the region. Further details are expected after the ongoing specialist assessment is completed.
(Economy India)
