89 Conjunctivitis cases detected in Ukhrul
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, August 23 2023:
Ukhrul district has seen a surge in the outbreak of Conjunctivitis cases recently.
With detection of three new cases at Ukhrul District Hospital on Wednesday, the total reported cases have reached 89 over the past few months.
Most of the patients are school-going children, which has prompted the district health authority to direct its actions towards school students to contain spread of the viral eye disease, according to an official source in the district hospital.
Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye or red eye, is a highly contagious eye infection.
It is caused by viruses and is spread by contact with another person who is infected or by coming into contact with something that has been contaminated.
The source said the department is gearing up to launch an extensive awareness programme to educate the community on the importance of preventive measures.
It added that as most of the infected patients are school-going children, schools in the town will be the focus of the campaign.
It is learnt that first cases of Conjunctivitis were detected in the district around June this year.
However, efforts to contain the spread among the public on part of the district health authority was not visible so far.