Infections take toll on Gurgaon MNC staff, students

A stark rise in mosquito-borne infections — dengue and chikungunya — has taken a toll on corporate and public sectors with a large number of employees calling in sick.

A number of government and private offices noted a sudden decrease in workforce as people are contracting the diseases, causing a delay in projects. The people complain of high fever and severe body ache making it difficult to complete daily tasks.

“Over six people from our floor have taken leave due to high fever . While two have chikungunya, others have viral fever. Though a lot of precautions are being taken by the office, the environment outside the office cannot be controlled,” said Trushika Narang, an official of a MNC in Udyog Vihar.

Officials from the Gurgaon police, Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon and district administration also reported a decrease in the workforce.

“Seven officials have fallen sick. There is already a staff crunch in the city and every officer missing makes a huge difference,” a police officer said.

Similarly, the road repair work across the city is also likely to be affected as both PWD and MCG are reporting a 15% decrease in workforce .

Engineering department officials from PWD and MCG said they are stretched in meeting CM’s deadline of making roads motorable by November 1.

A Nagarro spokesperson said, “We have stocked every floor with mosquito repellents. The frequency of floor cleaning has also been increased.”

“There are employees who have fallen sick but we are unsure if it is chikungunya. The company has displayed posters and mailed precautionary measures to employees,” captain Rajesh Sharma, vice-president, Office Services Asia Pacific, Sapient Consulting, said.

The infections have also taken a toll on schools. Students said in every class, at least one or two children are sick. Teachers are also on a leave, recovering from viral fever or chikungunya.

“Some of our teachers are not coming to school as they are not well. A lot of my friends are also down with fever and severe body ache,” a student of Ryan International School in Sector 40, said.

Schools are taking all initiatives and even conducting special classes to make students aware about the infections.

“We have allowed students to wear full-sleeved shirts and are also conducting orientation sessions for them. It is important that children are aware about the precautions and symptoms of chikungunya and dengue,” Rupa Chakravarty, principal of Suncity School in Sector 53, said.