DepEd Confirms Student's Death After Deworming; Investigation Ongoing

The Department of Education (DepEd) has confirmed the death of a Grade 4 student in Cavite following a routine deworming or pagpupurga activity. Authorities, however, emphasize that investigations are still ongoing and that no direct link between the deworming or pampurga medication and the student’s death has been established.

In a statement posted on its official Facebook page on July 13, DepEd said:

“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.

“We are providing the necessary emotional, psychological, and logistical support to the family during this difficult time.”

According to DepEd, the routine deworming activity was conducted in coordination with the City Health Office on July 2, 2026. The department also reported that several other learners “felt unwell” after the activity. The student who later passed away was hospitalized after “experiencing vomiting.” Based on the initial medical findings, “the cause of death was linked to an infection that led to septic shock.”

In an update released later that day on June 13, DepEd Assistant Secretary Roger Masapol said that 7 students of the Hugo Perez Elementary School-Annex have recovered and returned to school.

Authorities stressed that investigations are still ongoing to determine whether the death can be directly attributed to the deworming activity. An autopsy is also scheduled to help establish the exact cause of death.

Smart Parenting reached out to Dr. Joey Cuayo-Estanislao, a pediatrician, child health specialist, and member of Smart Parenting’s Board of Experts, to ask whether a deworming medication could cause sepsis.

She clarified:

“Deworming medications shouldn’t cause sepsis themselves, especially in otherwise well and healthy children.”

Dr. Cuayo-Estanislao explained that the medications commonly used in school deworming programs are either Mebendazole or Albendazole.

“In rare cases, [these medicines] may lower the number of white blood cells in the blood (what we call agranulocytosis), which can increase a person’s risk of infection. But again, it’s rare. These medicines are generally well tolerated, especially at the doses we give for routine deworming.”

The statements released by DepEd and the school did not specify which medication was used during the deworming activity.

Regarding contraindications, Dr. Cuayo-Estanislao said:

“We usually screen kids for pre-existing liver problems (it can worsen liver issues) or bone marrow problems. If they have either, then we don’t give deworming medicines.”

She also reminded parents that deworming medications are generally safe and have long been used in public health programs to help prevent intestinal worm infections among children.

Parents are encouraged to inform healthcare providers and schools about any existing medical conditions their child may have and to consult their pediatrician if they have questions before giving consent for school-based health programs. She also noted that healthcare workers who conduct these activities are trained to properly screen eligible students and administer the medications safely.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends routine deworming for children aged 12 months and older who live in communities where intestinal worm infections are common. Pre-school children (ages 1 to 4 years) and school-age children (ages 5 to 12 years, and up to 14 years in some settings) are among the groups recommended for preventive deworming in endemic areas.

WHO considers the Philippines as an endemic country for soil-transmitted helminth (intestinal worm) infections, meaning these infections remain common in many communities. As part of its recommendations, WHO identifies Albendazole and Mebendazole as the medicines used for preventive deworming programs.

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