A seven-year-old girl died and more than 70 villagers fell ill after consuming chloroquine tablets distributed during an anti-malaria campaign in Gollaguppa village of Andhra Pradesh’s Polavaram district. The tablets were administered last week as part of a fever-surveillance drive following the detection of malaria cases in the village. In response to the incident, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu ordered a detailed investigation and directed senior health officials to oversee medical treatment and assess the situation on the ground.

According to district authorities, the child became unconscious after taking the medicine and was initially shifted to a nearby Primary Health Centre before being referred to Bhadrachalam Area Hospital in Telangana, where she later died. Officials said the girl’s condition was linked to a sudden drop in blood glucose levels. Among those who fell ill are at least 15 children. Of the affected villagers, 53 people, including 48 children and five adults, are currently receiving treatment at Bhadrachalam Area Hospital, while another 17 villagers are being treated through a special medical camp. Authorities stated that all patients are in stable condition.

The district administration said the chloroquine tablets were distributed in age-appropriate doses as per official health protocols, and routine quality-control checks on the medicine had not revealed any issues. However, the specific batch used in the village has now been sent to the Visakhapatnam Forensic Laboratory for detailed analysis. Three specialised rapid-response medical teams have been deployed, while health officials are conducting blood tests and preparing medical profiles for nearly 270 residents to identify any underlying health conditions. Authorities have urged the public not to panic as investigations continue.