Cusat moves classes online amid surge in chickenpox cases

Cusat campus in Thrikkakara where offline classes have been suspended due to an increase in chicken pox cases. | Photo credit: H. VIBHU

Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) has suspended offline classes due to the rise in chicken pox cases.

The functioning of all departments in the Thrikkakara and Marine campuses has been moved to online mode after cases of smallpox were reported. All the infected students have left the campus, a Cusat official said.

The decision to suspend the offline classes was taken based on the instructions of the health authorities and the requests of the heads of various departments, the official said. Teaching will take place online until October 16.

Two cases were reported last week in the hostel block of the Thrikkakara campus, with the number of cases increasing sharply this week. “We have moved the classes online already, but the health authorities have directed that it must continue for seven to 14 days as per the protocol. So we have decided to extend the classes online till October 16,” a university official said.

“There is no cause for concern as all precautions have been taken. All students who have been infected have already been asked to leave the hostel and go home. We have also postponed several scheduled examinations,” the official said.

Meanwhile, a health official said there was no cause for concern. The district has reported 48 cases of chicken pox this month, while 589 cases have been reported in the state. A total of 31,318 cases along with nine deaths were reported in the state this year.

Kalamassery Municipal Chairman Jamal Manakadan said the university has been told to take appropriate measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

“There are over 4,000 students in the campus and if the disease spreads, it could lead to a huge health crisis. We have also carried out cleaning in the campus along with spraying and fogging,” Mr Manakadan said.

Published – 8 Oct 2026 22:41 IST