Srinagar, Aug 11: The health department in Jammu and Kashmir have urged people to take precautions as Conjunctivitis, a highly contagious eye condition, is witnessing a gradual surge in twin districts of the Valley, including Baramulla and Srinagar.
Conjunctivitis, also known as the ‘pink eye’ or eye flu, has occurred at a time when J&K is grappling with increasing instances of dengue fever, a mosquito-borne tropical disease.
So far, over 15 positive cases of pink eye have been confirmed in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, while a few cases have also been reported in Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K.
Health experts said the people with weak immune systems become easy targets of conjunctivitis, which spreads rapidly if precautions are not taken well in time. The most common causes of conjunctivitis, they said, are viruses and bacteria, but allergies, ultraviolet light, and chemicals may also become the cause of ‘pink eye’.
Excessive tearing, mucus discharge, redness, burning or sandy feeling in eyes are the most common symptoms of viral conjunctivitis and that the severe or untreated cases may result in complications that impact vision negatively.
Prof Dr. Ruby Reshi, Principal Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla confirmed a spike in ‘pink eye’ cases in the northern district of Kashmir and said the advisory has already been issued in this direction and measures are being taken to deal with the issue.
She said that over 15 positive ‘Pink Eye’ cases have been recorded in Baramulla thus far and that the actual scenario would be established in a week. She was however quick to add that the number of cases are slightly higher than usual.
“Baramulla district usually records two to three cases of conjunctivitis but the situation this time is a bit different as the number of cases recorded is slightly higher than usual. But there is nothing to worry as the bacterial virus resolves on its own within a week or two if precautions are taken positively,” Dr Ruby told News Agency.
When contacted, spokesman, Director Health Services Kashmir (DHSK), Dr Mir Mushtaq Ahmad said the situation is under control at the moment and that every measure is taken by the administration to deal with the situation.
He urged people to maintain proper hygiene including frequent hand wash, not touching eyes with unclean hands and avoiding sharing personal items like towels.
When asked whether ‘pink eye’ cases have also been reported in Srinagar, DHSK spokesman said yes cases are there but there is nothing to worry about as the situation is completely under control.
