‘Fever, vomitting, chills’: IIT-Delhi students fall ill after gastroenteritis outbreak, exams rescheduled
IT Delhi students alleged that the stomach flu was due to contaminated food or water served at the boys' hostel on Monday, a claim refuted by the IIT authorities.
2 min read
The administration added that all affected students were being treated at the institute hospital and were in stable condition. (Express Archive Photo)The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi on Tuesday postponed the end-semester examinations of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes scheduled on April 30 to May 8, following a sudden gastroenteritis outbreak at the institute.
The students alleged that the stomach flu was due to contaminated food or water served at the boys’ hostel on Monday, a claim which was refuted by the IIT authorities. A viral post on Reddit on Tuesday claimed that nearly half the residents of a boys’ hostel fell seriously ill overnight after consuming ‘litti chokha’ — a traditional dish — that was served during dinner at the hostel mess. “By morning, there was chaos… vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, chills,” it alleged.
“In view of the severe gastro outbreak that is unfolding, we are shifting all exams scheduled for April 30th to May 8th 2025… The outbreak has affected UGs, PGs, PhD students across the board. A day or two will help them recover,” read the late-night communication from the Associate Dean (Curriculum) of IIT Delhi issued to students.
The institute, however, said in a press statement that, “Some of the students residing in a boys’ hostel experienced these symptoms after eating sweets that were procured from an outside vendor”.
The administration added that all affected students were being treated at the institute hospital and were in stable condition. “The Institute administration is providing all necessary support to the students to ensure their physical well-being,” it said.
While examinations have been pushed back, many students say their bigger worry now is basic health and hygiene. “Exams can wait. We just want to know what we’re eating and drinking is safe,” one student posted.
“I’m doubting if I got my infection from mess food as well. The water on my floor especially,” read a message by a student widely circulated on Reddit.
“Nobody knows what was contaminated: the food? The water? Both?” a student said, highlighting concerns about sanitation and accountability of the premium institute.
You May Like
Photos
