Over 100 students at DU's Kuwait Maitree Hall sick from waterborne disease

More than a hundred students at Dhaka University's Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall have fallen ill over the past three days, reportedly from a waterborne disease. The university administration has decided to set up a temporary medical camp at the hall to control the situation and provide immediate care to those affected. Students and doctors suspect the outbreak is linked to contaminated water or food.

Chief Medical Officer of the university's Shaheed Dr Morteza Medical Centre, Tanvir Ali, said at least 60 students had visited the medical centre for treatment on Thursday and Friday. "Two of our doctors are working there. Counting those who fell ill today, over a hundred students have been sick," he said. "Vomiting and diarrhoea are typically caused by water or food."

Affected students alleged that problems began after the hall's water tanks were cleaned. "After the water tanks were cleaned, the water smelled of bleaching powder. Even gargling makes you want to vomit. The shower water has the same problem," said Juena Alam Mun, a hall student.

Another student, Sajrin Amin, said, "The canteen food and water are both to blame. The cooking environment in the canteen is dirty. We complain about these issues all the time, but the hall authorities take no action." She added that many who do not eat at the canteen are also sick, indicating that the water is the source. "We are all buying drinking water now."

Hall Provost Mahbuba Sultana said a temporary medical camp is currently providing healthcare services. "We have taken all necessary steps. The water reservoirs have been cleaned by professionals. The number of sick students is now decreasing. The situation is under control."