All 154 students hospitalised following a suspected adverse reaction to bilharzia medication in Katsina State have recovered and been discharged, according to the state police command.
The incident occurred on October 26, 2026, at Government Science Secondary School, Batagarawa, after students received praziquantel tablets during a school-based treatment exercise.
Police confirmed on October 29 that the remaining 25 students who had been kept under medical observation were also discharged. No deaths were recorded.
The incident has drawn attention to bilharzia, a parasitic disease that affects millions worldwide, raising questions about its causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention.
What Is Bilharzia?
Bilharzia, medically known as schistosomiasis, is a disease caused by parasitic worms of the genus Schistosoma.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the infection occurs when people come into contact with freshwater containing infectious parasites released by certain snails.
The parasites penetrate the skin and develop inside the body.
Bilharzia is common in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly communities with inadequate sanitation and limited access to safe water.
It is classified as a neglected tropical disease.
How Does Bilharzia Spread?
Bilharzia spreads through contact with contaminated freshwater, including rivers, lakes, ponds and streams.
The infection cycle begins when parasite eggs enter freshwater through the urine or faeces of infected individuals.
The eggs hatch and infect freshwater snails. The snails later release infectious larvae into the water.
These larvae can penetrate human skin during swimming, bathing, fishing or other water-related activities.
Bilharzia does not spread through ordinary person-to-person contact.
What Are the Symptoms of Bilharzia?
Symptoms vary depending on the organs affected and the severity of the infection.
Common signs include:
- Blood in urine
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea
- Blood in stool
- Fever and fatigue in some cases
Some infected individuals may initially experience no noticeable symptoms.
Without treatment, prolonged infection can damage the bladder, kidneys, liver and other organs.
In children, repeated infections may contribute to anaemia, poor growth and learning difficulties.
Anyone experiencing symptoms, particularly after contact with potentially contaminated freshwater, should seek medical assessment.
Why Were Katsina Students Given Praziquantel?
Praziquantel is the medicine recommended by the WHO for treating schistosomiasis.
It works against the parasitic worms responsible for the disease and is widely used in public-health programmes targeting communities at risk.
School-aged children are among the groups prioritised for treatment because they may frequently come into contact with contaminated freshwater.
In Katsina, the students reportedly developed symptoms after receiving praziquantel during a bilharzia treatment and prevention exercise.
However, the available police statement did not establish the precise medical cause of the reported reactions or provide a detailed account of the symptoms experienced.
The incident should therefore not be interpreted as evidence that praziquantel is generally unsafe.
Health authorities recommend its use under appropriate treatment guidelines.
How Can Bilharzia Be Prevented?
The WHO and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend several preventive measures.
Avoid contaminated freshwater: Do not swim, bathe or wade in untreated freshwater in areas where bilharzia is common.
Improve sanitation: Prevent human urine and faeces from contaminating water sources.
Use safe water: Ensure water used for bathing and household activities is appropriately treated.
Seek testing and treatment: People with suspected infections should visit qualified healthcare professionals.
Support community treatment programmes: Preventive treatment in affected communities helps reduce infection and long-term complications.
Improved sanitation, access to safe water and public-health education remain essential to controlling the disease.
What Happens Next After the Katsina Incident?
The Katsina State Police Command said all 154 affected students had recovered and returned to their families and schoolmates.
Commissioner of Police Ali Umar Fage thanked residents for their cooperation and urged the public to avoid spreading unverified reports.
The incident also highlights the importance of proper medical supervision, adverse-event monitoring and clear communication during school-based treatment campaigns.
Although the students have recovered, questions remain about the circumstances surrounding their reported reactions.
A detailed medical assessment would help clarify what happened while ensuring that essential bilharzia prevention and treatment programmes continue safely.
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