A beetle called the Nairobi fly is causing skin infections in some districts of north Bengal, neighbouring Sikkim and parts of Bhutan.

In Siliguri and surrounding areas, up to 20 such infections are being reported each day in recent weeks. Around 100 students of the Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT) in Majhitar, Gangtok, also reported the problem.

A native of East Africa, the beetle of Paederus genus causes Paederus Dermatitis with burn sensations and blisters.

“The Nairobi fly, when in contact with the human body, releases a fluid called pederin which causes chemical burns on skin. This leads to the infection and takes days to heal. However, it is not contagious,” said Kunal Roy, a dermatologist in Siliguri.

Doctors at the Siliguri district hospital said over the past couple of weeks, some 15 to 20 patients are visiting every day with the infection.

“The number is on the rise and cases have been reported from residential areas and even the North Bengal University campus. But there is no need to panic as medication is available,” said a doctor.

Cases have been reported from Lebong and Darjeeling town in the hills. “In Sikkim, the highest number of cases has been reported from the SMIT campus in the past three-four days. We asked people to maintain hygiene and take precautions like using mosquito nets and wearing covered clothes,” said a source in the Sikkim health department.

In Bhutan, cases of the infection have been reported from Samtse and Phuentsholing, which share borders with India.

Entomologists said this insect is seen in the monsoons and the start of winter.

“There is no need to panic. We have consulted with experts and want the residents to take precautions. In case of an infection, they should contact the doctor. All necessary efforts for general cleanliness would be taken up by the civic body,” said Manik Dey, the member mayor-in-council (conservancy) of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation.