CHENNAI: An IIT Madras student succumbed to dengue in the early hours of Friday at Apollo hospital, where he was undergoing treatment.
The deceased has been identified as Prem Avinash, a third-year dual degree student of Mechanical Engineering. He is a native of Visakhapatanam in Andhra Pradesh and was residing at Narmada hostel inside the IIT campus.
Sources said he was undergoing treatment for “Dengue Shock Syndrome/Dengue Hemorrhage Fever” at the hospital for past few days before breathing his last on Friday morning.
An IIT student, who also stays in Narmada hostel, told Express that Avinash was diagnosed with dengue five days ago and was hospitalised for the past four days. On Wednesday, he reportedly suffered multi-organ failure and was put on artificial support. “We were told at the time of admission itself that his platelet count was dangerously low and he wasn’t responding to treatment. His kidney collapsed and he was put on dialysis. But the news of his death has come has a shock for all in the institute,” the student said.
All other students in Narmada hostel have been made aware of indications of a possible dengue attack and none have been found suffering from fever or any other symptoms.
IIT Madras registrar has expressed condolences to Avinash’s family, and friends. A condolence meeting was held in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at 4 pm and another condolence meeting was organised in the Narmada Hostel Common room. In his remembrance, his friends have planted a tree next to the hostel.
His friends told the Express that Avinash was a very bright student and active in social activities as well. He was serving as the coordinator of E-Cell of IIT Madras. E-Cell has put up a post in Facebook saying, “It’s very sad to share with you all that Prem Avinash a member of our E-Cell family, fell short in fighting out severe dengue. We pray the almighty give his family all the strength in overcoming the irreplaceable loss,” the post reads.