Gujarat: Mosquitoes lay siege on education campuses.

AHMEDABAD: Educational campuses in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar are reeling under aspike in students falling sick to dengue, malaria and other vector borne diseases (VBD). The lush green campuses that stimulate creative ideas are apparently turning into breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

DAIICT in Gandhinagar recorded over 15 cases of dengue this monsoon, said sources. Soman Nair, registrar of the institute, conceded to a ‘few cases’ of dengue on campus.

“Most of the students have returned to the institute after treatment. This month, we have proactively undertaken two fumigation rounds in addition to anti-mosquito drive by the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation  (GMC). Any student or staff member showing signs of VBD are promptly transferred to a nearby hospital,” Nair said.

Dr. Anup Singh, director general, Nirma University, said three students were down with dengue this month. “We have issued advisory for students to wear full-sleeved clothes and use mosquito repellents. Any fresh water collection is being regularly cleared,” he said.

Health centre at Gujarat University is attending to average two to three cases of dengue daily. A senior official told TOI that the entire university area –is witnessing wide-spread construction activities. “Over 40 cases of dengue have been registered from the entire university area in past couple of months,” said a senior official.

GU area hit badly.

The health centre at  is attending to average two to three cases of dengue daily. A senior official told TOI that the entire university area – including Gujarat University, Ahmedabad University and CEPT University – is witnessing wide-spread construction activities. “Over 40 cases of dengue have been registered from the entire university area in past couple of months,” said a senior official. Even medical students are not spared. “At least 30 students from our college have got dengue,” said a student of medical college in west Ahmedabad. Dr Sanjay Shah, head emergency department at Apollo Hospital, said 40% of 90-odd dengue cases admitted in past one month came from educational institutes in and around Gandhinagar. “Fortunately, rising awareness about symptoms has resulted in students” he said.