Conjunctivitis cases surge, Uttarakhand Health Secretary directs Chief Medical Officers to spread awareness

Dehradun: Uttarakhand Health Secretary R Rajesh Kumar on Friday instructed Chief Medical Officers of the state to take steps for the prevention of conjunctivitis and to make people aware of the disease. 

The Health Secretary has also given instructions to ensure availability of medicines in the hospitals.

Also Read:Delhi sees surge in Conjunctivitis cases, other eye infection: Doctors share precautions

"As you know, conjunctivitis (eye flu) disease is currently a major public health problem in the state. The disease may be caused due to allergy, bacterial or viral infection. Conjunctivitis is spread by contact with the eye fluids of an infected person and can be contagious," the Health Secretary said in his instruction.

The instruction asked the officers to ensure the availability of essential medicines to treat the disease.

"For the prevention and control of conjunctivitis disease, ensure the availability of essential medicines at the hospital level. For the prevention of conjunctivitis, awareness should be created among the general public," the instruction said. 

Conjunctivitis cases in Uttarakhand have recently surged to almost 30%. Ophthalmologists have warned people against crowded places and self-medication. The experts also warned against self-medication.  

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that with monsoon comes the risk of many diseases, including eye infections. Amid the incessant rainfall that lashed the national capital and other areas for past few weeks, there have been multiple cases of Conjunctivitis reported in Delhi NCR. Conjunctivitis cases are reported each year during monsoon season. Symptoms could be redness and itching in the eyes. Experts and doctors say children are especially more susceptible to eye infections. Also, along with eye infections, cases of cough and cold are also reported among children. Dr Soveeta Rath, Pediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismus and Neuro-Ophthalmology Dr Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital, Daryaganj, "We have observed a notable surge of 50 per cent in conjunctivitis cases in our OPDs now. Particularly affecting children and teenagers, these cases typically present with symptoms like redness, discharge, and foreign body sensation in the eyes".