Chhattisgarh: Winged Ant Infestation Shuts Two Operation Theatres at Durg District Hospital Amid Sterility Concerns

Two operation theatres (OTs) at the Mother-Child Unit of Durg District Hospital in Chhattisgarh have remained closed after swarms of winged ants entered the sterile surgical areas following heavy monsoon rains, officials said on Thursday. Civil Surgeon Dr. Ashish Minj said the OTs were temporarily shut to ensure patient safety and maintain sterile operating conditions. All essential surgeries are currently being performed through the hospital's emergency operation theatre while fumigation, pest control, and repair work continue.

According to Press Trust of India (PTI), two operation theatres at the Mother-Child Unit of Durg District Hospital have remained closed for the past 10 days after a large number of winged ants entered the sterile surgical areas following heavy monsoon rains. Civil Surgeon Dr. Ashish Minj said, "The winged ants entered the operation theatres due to the ongoing heavy rains. To ensure patient safety and maintain sterile conditions, both OTs were temporarily closed."

Dr. Minj told PTI that no patients have been referred to other hospitals, as all surgeries are being managed through the hospital's emergency operation theatre.

According to The Times of India, the Mother-Child Unit typically performs four to five surgeries each day. With the dedicated operation theatres closed, the emergency OT has been handling the additional workload while some planned procedures, including elective Caesarean sections, have been postponed.

The presence of insects inside an operation theatre can compromise the sterile environment required for surgery and increase the risk of postoperative infections. Maintaining a contamination-free operating room is especially important during Caesarean sections and other surgical procedures, where strict infection-control practices help protect patients.

According to The Times of India, continuous monsoon rains exposed cracks in walls and damaged floor tiles at Durg District Hospital's Mother-Child Unit, allowing winged ants to enter the operation theatres. The report said routine Caesarean sections and other planned surgeries have been postponed, while emergency C-sections continue in the hospital's main emergency operation theatre.

Hospital authorities told The Times of India that the affected operation theatres will reopen only after microbiological culture reports confirm the premises are free of contamination and meet sterility standards.

According to ETV Bharat, ants are believed to have entered the operation theatre through cracks, loose tiles, and other gaps in the older hospital building. In response, the hospital administration sealed the affected area and began fumigation, pest-control measures, and repair work to restore safe operating conditions.

Civil Surgeon Dr. Ashish Minj told ETV Bharat, "All necessary procedures are being undertaken to completely eliminate the risk of infection. Currently, no patients have been referred to other hospitals, and all essential surgeries are being performed in the hospital's other operation theatre." He added that the hospital is also working on a permanent solution to prevent a similar incident from recurring.

Also see: BMC urges Citizens to take Precautions against Leptospirosis during Monsoon

Heavy rains have lashed several parts of Chhattisgarh in recent days, inundating low-lying areas, disrupting road connectivity, and creating flood-like conditions, according to Press Trust of India (PTI). At Durg District Hospital, continuous monsoon rainfall exposed cracks in walls and damaged floor tiles at the Mother-Child Unit, allowing winged ants to enter the operation theatres, The Times of India reported.

While essential surgeries continue through the hospital's emergency operation theatre, fumigation, pest-control measures, and repair work are underway to restore the affected facilities. The operation theatres are expected to resume services within the next two to three days, although they will reopen only after microbiological culture reports confirm the premises are free of contamination and meet sterility standards, hospital authorities said.

(Rh/TP/MSM)