DU wakes up to prevent spread of jaundice

The authorities of Dhaka University (DU) yesterday at an emergency meeting decided to take special move to prevent the outbreak of jaundice and other viral diseases on the campus.

The decision came after 350 students of three DU halls reportedly contracted jaundice and other viral infections due to poor sanitation and hygiene at the dormitories.

Most of the water tanks of the DU halls allegedly go on unchecked for years, allowing accumulation of micro-organisms that may cause various diseases like hepatitis-A or jaundice.

In a press release yesterday the authorities said they are taking emergency measures to check the situation.

They claimed they directed all the hall authorities to ensure supply of safe drinking water for students and also have taken steps to boil the drinking water.

The authorities will also evict all illegal makeshift shops from inside the halls and asked all shopkeepers under DU control to ensure supply of fresh food.

They said a medical team is on alert at the three halls to supervise sickness of any student. Arrangements have also been made to refer sick students to public hospitals for treatment.

Meantime, of the students suspected of having been infected by jaundice, 150 were tested positive. The press release said 62 of them are suffering from mild infection, while the conditions of others are slightly above the risk level.