Hostels, from north to south, in grip of dengue, virals; campuses log rapid spread in diseases

KOLKATA: Hostel campuses in the city, from north to south, are reeling under the grip of dengue and other virals. Jadavpur University has at least 12 dengue cases and 15 fever cases. University officials have pointed out that the situation is “grave” and has deteriorated in the last 12 hours with two more students being admitted to a private hospital, taking the number to three at present.
Medical superintendent of JU, Mitali Deb, said, “The situation is grave. More than 10 students have reported fever since Sunday night. Six of them are dengue cases. Two of them had complications like diarrhoea and had been admitted to a hospital. Those without complications are being treated by me.” In the last one month, JU hostels had 40 fever cases, out of which 35 are dengue cases. Among them eight have been treated at the hospital.

The dengue has spread rapidly among the students, particularly among the boarders of New Boys’ Hostel, Research scholar hostel and G C Sen Chhatrabas. The girls’ hostel also has dengue cases but the number is fewer. “The common thing that I have noticed is that the students living on the first floor, which is shabby, are affected badly,” she said, adding that the campus is being cleaned regularly.
The concern, she said, now is how to break the transmission chain. “We want to isolate the patients in order to break the chain of transmission. I have written a letter to the authorities to take urgent steps in this regard,” Deb added. Registrar Snehamanju Basu said, “We are keeping a close watch on the patients and are working day and night. I held a meeting to discuss measures to control the spread. It will also be discussed at the EC as it is an urgent issue.” Somenath Saha, mess committee member of New Boys’ Hostel, has gone home as he is suffering from dengue.
The medical superintendent has also suggested to the VC that the university shift to the online mode to tide over the crisis.
Calcutta University hostels like Carmichael Hostel, Tech Hostel also have a number of fever cases. One boarder of P G Men Students’ Hall on Waliullah Lane was admitted to hospital on Monday morning. Sources said around 10 out of 23 boarders at the old building of Carmichael Hostel on Baithakkhana Road and around 6 boarders at Technology hostel, Ballygunge Circular Road, are down with high fever. One hostel boarder from PG Men Students’ Hall was admitted to hospital on Monday morning.
A boarder of Carmichael Hostel said, “Piles of garbage, discarded plastic bottles, stagnation of water can be found around our locality. We have noticed that KMC staff are regularly visiting this place to spread oil to destroy mosquito larvae.” A border of Technology Hostel said, “More than 5 boarders are down with high fever and nobody is there to take them to hospital or make arrangements for tests. Presently, the hostel super is on leave.”
CU registrar Debasis Das said, “We are looking into the matter but earlier we had requested the KMC to clean these places regularly and they have been conducting cleaning drives from time to time.” Board of residence secretary (acting) Sandip Mandal said, “We have purchased bleaching powder that has already been sent to the hostels. Hostel boarders were asked to use mosquito nets.”
Around 9 cases have also been reported at Hindu Hostel of Presidency University. A hostel boarder said, “One of my friends suffered dengue earlier this month and now he has been diagnosed with malaria a few days ago. At least 9 boarders are suffering from high fever and at least 5 of them have been diagnosed with dengue.” Presidency University dean of students Arun Kumar Maity said, “No case has been reported to the hostel authority as of now but we will look into the matter. We have taken several measures against dengue on campus.”
There has been one confirmed dengue case among students at Medical College Hospital. Sources said he has already recovered. Students living in the hostel on the campus said around four were also found positive for malaria. “Apart from a few stray cases, dengue is not a major concern on the campus so far. Cleanliness drive is on,” said principal Indranil Biswas.
Two students of NRS are also getting treated for dengue at the hospital. “Both are recovering. Regular vector control drives are on,” said principal Pit Baran Chakraborty.
No student at CNMC is suffering from dengue now, said a source.
(With inputs from Sumati Yengkhom)