Viral conjunctivitis cases rise to nearly 100,000 in Punjab

By News Desk October 30, 2023 · 6:05 pm PKT · 3 min read

A doctor examines a woman suffering from an eye infection at a city hospital as more than 56,000 schools are closed for the rest of the week in an effort to contain a massive outbreak of a contagious eye virus. - In connection — A doctor examines a woman suffering from an eye infection at a city hospital as more than 56,000 schools are closed for the rest of the week in an effort to contain a massive outbreak of a contagious eye virus. – In connection

About 10,269 cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
Most cases of conjunctivitis were documented in Bahawalpur.
Schools in Punjab closed due to rising cases of pink eye.

LAHORE: Cases of viral conjunctivitis or ‘pink eye’ have soared to nearly 100,000 in Punjab within days, raising concerns about the highly contagious infection, which in rare cases can cause chronic inflammation of the cornea, leading to permanent vision problems.

According to Health Ministry sources, as many as 10,269 cases of eye infection have been reported in the last 24 hours, surpassing the 90,000 mark.

The highest number of pink eye cases were reported in Bahawalpur with 1,540 people suffering from the infection. Meanwhile, 1,132 have been reported in Faisalabad, 1,048 in Multan 608 in Rahim Yar Khan and 452 patients in Lahore.

The Punjab government has announced the closure of all private and government educational institutions across the province from Thursday (September 28) to Sunday (October 1) due to an outbreak of conjunctivitis.

The decision was taken after caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited a government school in Lahore and expressed his dismay at the presence of students affected by conjunctivitis.

The caretaker prime minister immediately called the schools secretary and ordered that children with the virus not be allowed to go to school.

The decision was taken to protect children from the conjunctivitis epidemic in Punjab, the schools secretary said.

It also said that all schools will reopen from Monday and follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) to contain the spread of pink eye infection.

“All the Executive Directors (DEAs) in Punjab have been instructed to ensure compliance with the orders,” he added.

Conjunctivitis is an eye condition caused by infection or allergies. It usually gets better in a few weeks without treatment.

Speaking to the media after visiting the school, CM Naqvi said that conjunctivitis is spreading rapidly in schools and six to seven children in every class were found to be affected with conjunctivitis.

He said SOPs will be strictly implemented from Monday in all educational institutions across the province under which teachers will inspect the eyes of every child at the school entrance.

Conjunctivitis is also known as red or pink eye.

It usually affects both eyes and causes: