Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Naidu Orders Probe After Chloroquine Illness, Student Death
Health workers gave chloroquine tablets to people in a village where malaria cases had increased.
The medicine was meant to help prevent malaria.
After taking it, many people became sick with symptoms such as vomiting, headaches and dizziness.
One report said two students died, while another reported the death of one seven-year-old girl.
The girl became unconscious and died before an ambulance reached the hospital.
Sick residents were taken to a hospital in Bhadrachalam, Telangana.
Officials said 30 of 52 admitted patients had recovered and left the hospital.
Medical teams are checking people in the village and continuing surveillance.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu ordered an investigation to determine what happened.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu ordered an inquiry after residents became ill following chloroquine administration.
One report said two students died, while another identified one seven-year-old girl who died before reaching hospital.
A detailed account said 52 people developed symptoms including vomiting, headache and dizziness after taking the tablets.
Chloroquine was distributed in Gollaguppa village after seven malaria cases were detected over two days.
Patients were taken to Bhadrachalam Area Hospital, where 30 of 52 admitted people were later discharged, officials said.
- Who
- Residents of Gollaguppa village, including children, became ill; reports differed on whether one or two students died. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu ordered the inquiry.
- What
- Residents reportedly suffered adverse reactions after receiving chloroquine tablets, prompting hospital treatment and an official investigation.
- When
- The illness occurred after tablets were distributed on Tuesday; Naidu learned of the incident late Tuesday night, and medical teams arrived on Wednesday.
- Where
- Gollaguppa village in Polavaram district, Andhra Pradesh; patients were taken to Bhadrachalam Area Hospital in Telangana.
- Why
- Health workers distributed chloroquine after seven malaria-positive cases were detected in the area over August 31 and September 1.
Initial Report
Detailed Official Account
Reported fatalities
Initial Report
The initial report stated that two students died after reportedly suffering adverse reactions to chloroquine tablets.
Detailed Official Account
The detailed account identified one deceased person: a seven-year-old Class 2 girl who died before reaching the hospital.
Number of people affected
Initial Report
The initial report said several residents fell ill and that tablets had been given to 71 of the village’s approximately 253 residents.
Detailed Official Account
The detailed account said 52 people fell ill and described the village population as 275.
Possible cause of reactions
Initial Report
The reports linked the illnesses temporally to chloroquine administration but said an investigation was needed to establish the circumstances.
Detailed Official Account
Health experts said unsuitable dosage based on age or body weight, or the villagers’ health conditions, could have contributed; this had not been established.
- Reported illnesses
- One detailed account said 52 people, including children, fell ill.
- Reported deaths
- One report said two students died; another reported the death of a seven-year-old Class 2 girl.
- Symptoms
- Reported symptoms included vomiting, headache and a reeling or dizzy sensation.
- Malaria cases
- Seven malaria-positive cases were detected over August 31 and September 1.
- Hospital treatment
- Patients were shifted to Bhadrachalam Area Hospital in Telangana; 30 of 52 admitted patients were discharged after recovery.
- Medical response
- Teams from Rajamahendravaram, Kakinada, Paderu, Eluru and Vijayawada conducted door-to-door testing and established medical camps.
- Investigation
- Naidu directed officials to investigate the deaths and reported adverse reactions.
