New Delhi: A sudden spike in conjunctivitis cases in the national capital is looking like an epidemic. As hospitals continue to see an increased number of patients reporting eye infections, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences is reporting nearly 100 cases daily. Terming the surging eye infection cases as epidemic, Dr J S Titiyal said that the number of such cases is expected to hit a peak within the next few days after which the numbers may come down.
The ophthalmologist further said that the epidemic of conjunctivitis cases is usually observed in the monsoon season which coincides with the flu season. The infection is self-limiting and one can recover in one or two weeks. However, secondary bacterial infection may rarely occur and delay the recovery.
A school in Pune’s Pimpri Chinchwad recorded more than 65 cases of conjunctivitis in a single day. Another school in Dudalgaon in Bhosari only 2-3Km from Alndi reported first conjunctivitis outbreak of the season last weak. PMC assistant medical officer Suryakant Devkar said, “we have instructed zonal health officers and ward level medical officers to plan for these eye inspections. Any child with redness in the eyes, teary eyes, or irritation would be isolated with immediate effect”.
In Arunachal Pradesh, cases for conjunctivitis are surging as children being most affected in the state. Several district administrations have ordered temporary suspension of school activities to curb the spread of the disease. After the state capital Itanagar and Kanibari sub-division of Longding district, Namsai, and East Siang administrations have ordered the closure of schools for a few days.