Students fall ill at Assam Engineering College after monkey found in water tank
More than 50 students in Guwahati reported sickness after a dead monkey was discovered in a hostel water tank.
More than 50 students at Assam Engineering College (AEC) in Guwahati fell ill after a dead monkey was found in an overhead water tank at Hostel No. 7, according to reports from Urban Acres, The Sentinel and Deccan Herald.
The incident was discovered after students complained of foul-smelling water. A monkey was found inside the tank, which students alleged had contained the carcass for nearly a week. The contaminated water was used for drinking, bathing, and cooking meals at the hostel mess.
Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital principal Pranabjyoti Baishya said 52 students were brought to the hospital with complaints of fever, vomiting and stomach pain. He stated that three students were referred for further medical attention, but all 52 were stable and discharged.
AEC principal Dr Amrita Ganguly said 40 of the 80 hostel residents had reported minor illnesses, including vomiting, stomach ache and diarrhoea. She noted that the students have since resumed attending classes.
Dr Ganguly said a large monkey population from a nearby hill frequently enters the campus and often breaks water tank lids. She stated the college has written to the Forest Department two or three times seeking intervention, as the institution lacks the resources to address the monkey menace.
The college has since cleaned and disinfected the affected tank and shifted the residents to another hostel.