Worms on the rise

The number of school children from slums and rural areas infected by deadly parasitic worms such as tapeworms and round worms is increasing in India due to poor sanitation and unclean water. The children in the age group of six to 14 years are most vulnerable to these worms. At least 25% of the children in the country are infected with parasitic worms, says a recent survey conducted by an international NGO “Deworm the World” in Government schools of Bihar. The survey found that the infected kids showed stunted growth, school absenteeism and anaemia. The NGO, with the support of the state government, has launched a mass deworming programme in three phases. The programme would be rolled out in over 67,000 schools in all 38 districts of the state.