“More than 80 schoolgirls have fallen ill in three cases of mass sickness over the past few weeks in northern Afghanistan, raising fears that some people who oppose education for girls are using poison to scare them away from school,” authorities revealed, on April 25. The latest case came into light when 13 girls fell sick at school, Kunduz provincial government spokesman Mahbobullah Sayedi said. Another 47 complained of dizziness and nausea on Saturday, and 23 got sick last Wednesday. All complained of a strange smell in class before they fell ill.
None of the illnesses has been serious, and medical officials were still investigating the exact cause. The Health Ministry in Kunduz said blood samples were inconclusive and were being sent to Kabul for further testing. Sayedi blamed this may be a conspiracy hatched by those who oppose education for girls. Presidential spokesman Waheed Omar said any attempt to keep girls out of school is a terrorist act.