Gangtok, Jul 6: Severe skin infections were reported from East Sikkim after many students of an engineering college came in contact with Nairobi flies.

Nairobi flies, native to East Africa, are growing at a rapid pace at the campus of the Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT) in Majhitar.

“A student who was recently infected by the flies had to undergo surgery on his hand, they added. The flies are not native but can overwhelm new areas in search of breeding grounds and ample food supply,” an official of health department said.

According to college administration the infected students are undergoing medication and recovering.

“Insecticides are being sprayed on the campus, and students are being made aware of the dos and don’ts to deal with the situation,” they said.

These flies usually destroy crops and eat pests.

These flies do not bite, but if disturbed while sitting on anyone’s skin, they release a potent acidic substance that causes burns, officials said.

The flies should be gently blown off and not disturbed or touched. The area where these flies sit should be washed with soap and water.