Amid concerns following the death of a Grade 4 learner after a routine school deworming activity in Cavite, the Department of Health (DOH) has explained why parents should continue having their children dewormed, saying the public health intervention remains a safe, effective, and proven way to protect them from intestinal worms.

The Department of Education (DepEd) earlier said initial medical findings showed that the death of a Grade 4 learner in Trece Martires City, Cavite, who fell ill after a routine school deworming activity, was linked to an infection that led to septic shock.

To protect the health of children, the DOH said it is imperative for parents, guardians, schools, and communities to continue supporting the nationwide deworming activities this July.

The DOH said children are especially vulnerable to soil-transmitted helminths, or intestinal worms, because they are more likely to come into contact with contaminated soil.

“Left untreated, these infections can lead to poor nutrition, anemia, stunted physical growth, delayed learning, and reduced resistance to other illnesses,” the agency said on Thursday, July 16.

“They can also affect a child’s attendance and performance in school.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), soil-transmitted helminth infections are among the world’s most common human infections and are caused by parasites commonly known as worms, such as roundworms, whipworms, and hookworms.

It noted that people living in poverty are the most vulnerable to soil-transmitted helminth infections, which can impair nutritional status by causing internal bleeding that may lead to iron loss and anemia, intestinal inflammation and obstruction, diarrhea, and reduced nutrient intake, digestion, and absorption.

The health department said albendazole, the deworming medicine used in the program, has been part of the country’s public health program for nearly three decades and is recommended by the WHO.

“It is generally safe and well tolerated,” it stated.

The DOH said some children may experience mild and temporary side effects such as stomach pain, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, or skin rashes after taking the medicine.

“These reactions are expected in some cases, usually occur within the first few hours, and can be managed with proper medical guidance,” it added.

In fact, the WHO said deworming is an important part of a comprehensive package to eliminate morbidity due to soil-transmitted helminths in at-risk populations.

“Preventive chemotherapy (deworming), using annual or biannual single-dose albendazole (400 mg) or mebendazole (500 mg) is recommended as a public health intervention for all young children 12–23 months of age, preschool children 1–4 years of age, and school-age children 5–12 years of age (in some settings up to 14 years of age) living in areas where the baseline prevalence of any soil-transmitted infection is 20% or more among children, in order to reduce the worm burden of soil-transmitted helminth infection,” it said.

The DOH directed health workers and local government units to strictly follow safety protocols during both school-based and community-based deworming activities to ensure the safe administration of the medicine and the proper management of any adverse events.

Also, the health department reminded the public to rely only on verified information from the agency and to refrain from sharing unverified reports or misleading claims that may cause unnecessary fear and discourage participation in the public health program.

“The Department remains committed to protecting the health of Filipino children through safe, science-based, and evidence-driven public health interventions.”

According to DepEd, the learner from Hugo Perez Elementary School-Annex participated in a routine deworming activity conducted on July 2 in coordination with the City Health Office.

“Several learners felt unwell afterward, and by July 3, the Grade 4 learner who later passed away had been hospitalized after experiencing vomiting,” the agency said in a statement.

“Based on initial medical findings, the cause of death was linked to an infection that led to septic shock,” it added.

The education department said it is providing the bereaved family with emotional, psychological, and logistical support as it extended its condolences to the family and the entire school community.

“The Department of Education (DepEd) is profoundly heartbroken by the tragic passing of a Grade 4 learner from Hugo Perez Elementary School-Annex in Trece Martires City, Cavite. We extend our deepest condolences to the family, loved ones, and the entire school community,” it said.