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Authorities calm fears about worm treatment after children fall ill

Health authorities have confirmed that the intestinal worm drug Mebendazole posed no danger for children despite reports of some students having symptoms of nausea and vomiting after taking the antiparasitic medication.
This type of drug, specifically Mebendazole 500 mg, is focused at eliminating intestinal worms in 5-12-year-olds.
Director General of the Department of Communicable Disease Control, under the Ministry of Health, Dr Rattanaxay Phetsouvanh addressed a press conference in Vientiane on Thursday to allay public concerns about the medication.
Nevertheless, the department ordered a temporary halt to the distribution of the antiparasitic drug on Thursday as a precaution.
This followed the news that some students were sent to Mahosot Hospital for tests and treatment after they consumed Mebendazole, according to Facebook posts on Wednesday by concerned members of the public. 
Dr Rattanaxay said Mebendazole is one of the medicines recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to treat intestinal worm infections in humans.
“The WHO has been distributing a paediatric (chewable) formulation of Mebendazole to more than 72 countries including Laos with a high prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthiases (intestinal worms),” he said.
Deputy Director of Mahosot Hospital in Vientiane, Dr Khamsay Detleuxay said the students were brought to the hospital by emergency rescue teams accompanied by teachers and friends.
“We cannot confirm the clear cause of their symptoms, or if it relates to antiparasitic medication. The students underwent medical examinations to evaluate their condition,” he said.
The students exhibited abdominal pain along with nausea and vomiting, and they were treated by medical staff and have already been discharged, he added.
Health authorities have advised that these antiparasitic treatments should only be prescribed by medical personnel.


By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
(Latest Update June 26, 2020)


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