Around 100 students of an engineering college in East Sikkim have reported skin infections after coming in contact with Nairobi flies.
- The population of Nairobi flies, a species of insect native to East Africa, is growing at a fast pace on campus of the Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT) in Majhitar.
About Nairobi flies
- Nairobi flies, also called Kenyan flies or dragon bugs, are small, beetle-like insects that belong to two species, Paederus eximius and Paederus sabaeus.
- They are orange and black in colour, and thrive in areas with high rainfall, as has been witnessed in Sikkim in the past few weeks.
- Usually, the insects attack pests that consume crops and are beneficial for humans — but at times, they come in contact with humans directly are cause harm.
- These flies do not bite, but if disturbed while sitting on anyone’s skin, they release a potent acidic substance that causes burns.
- This substance is called pederin, and can cause irritation if it comes in contact with the skin, leading to lesions or unusual marks or colouring on the skin.
- The skin begins to heal in a week or two, but some secondary infections can occur, especially if the victim scratches the irritated skin.
(Source: Indian Express)
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