8 Nov 2008, 0359 hrs IST, TNN
Kolkata: The malaria scare has hit one of the city’s most prestigious education institutions — Presidency College.At least five residents of the college staff quarters are suffering from malaria. Among them, Nirmal Singh is suffering from malignant malaria. Principal Sanjib Ghosh has sent an SOS to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) health department, seeking immediate intervention. After Victoria Dufferin College nurses’ hostel and SSKM Hospital, this is the third institution in the city to have been hit by malaria.
Meanwhile, on Friday morning, Japanese encephalitis claimed the life of 32-year old Mithu Mandal of Sonarpur, South 24-Parganas. She was admitted to Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital on Thursday in a critical condition.
For around a fortnight now, the Presidency staff quarters residents have been suffering from fever. Some of them went for blood tests and malaria was confirmed. With the city reeling under a malaria-dengue crisis, the college authorities didn’t want to take a chance. They got especially worried as the main hostel will reopen on Saturday when most of the students are expected to return.
“I informed KMC about the situation and asked them to take action,” Ghosh said.
For KMC, which has drawn considerable flak for its dismal failure in controlling the dengue-malaria menace, the Presidency incident comes as a fresh blow. Its health department immediately swung into action after receiving the message.
“Presidency College is located in what is known as the endemic zone for malaria in the city. We have taken a special drive and removed all stagnant water from the college and adjoining areas. Larvicide has been sprayed and tests will be done to find out whether anyone else is suffering from malaria,” said a senior KMC health department official.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Kolkata_/Malaria_hits_Presidency_staff_quarters/articleshow/3687663.cms
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