The Nairobi Fly has been implicated in the severe skin infections suffered by 100 students from Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT) and Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences (SMIMS). There has been a spread of the infection at SMIT for the past two months, and the rainy season could be to blame.
As a matter of fact, Nairobi flies originate from Eastern Africa. They usually don’t bite, but if they are disturbed while sitting on someone’s skin, they release an acidic substance that burns the skin. They are small, beetle-like insects with very long bodies. Usually found in areas with high rainfall, they are orange and black in color. Light and moist areas attract them.
“Engineering teachers have told us that the disease isn’t considered severe,” he said. The infection, however, only started spreading on campus a few days ago, according to a student at SMIMS. He said that the contagious infection, which has mostly affected post-graduate students so far, began spreading just a week ago and that the institution has provided adequate medication.
According to accounts, a student from SMIT contracted this sickness and became seriously ill; as a result, he needed to have surgery on his hand. According to the college administration, they are taking the appropriate precautions and treating the afflicted students. The allergies were not severe and may be readily treated with certain medications and ointments, experts have indicated, so there is no need to fear.
