Punjab, Pakistan, is grappling with a significant surge in cases of viral conjunctivitis, commonly known as ‘pink eye.’ The sudden increase in infections, with over 100,000 reported cases, has raised concerns due to the highly contagious nature of the disease.
In rare instances, pink eye can lead to chronic inflammation of the cornea, resulting in permanent vision problems. According to sources within the health department, Punjab has witnessed a staggering 10,269 new cases of eye infection in the last 24 hours, pushing the total count beyond the 90,000 mark. Among the worst-hit areas, Bahawalpur reported the highest number of pink eye cases, with 1,540 individuals affected. Other significant figures include 1,132 cases in Faisalabad, 1,048 in Multan, 608 in Rahim Yar Khan, and 452 patients in Lahore.
In response to the outbreak, the Punjab government has taken the precautionary measure of closing all private and government educational institutions across the province. This temporary closure is scheduled from Thursday (September 28) to Sunday (October 1), with the aim of preventing the spread of conjunctivitis among students.
The decision to close educational institutions was prompted by a visit from caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi to a government school in Lahore. Expressing concern over the presence of students affected by conjunctivitis, the interim chief minister promptly summoned the secretary of schools. He instructed that children suffering from the virus should not be allowed to attend school.
The closure decision is primarily aimed at safeguarding children from the conjunctivitis epidemic in Punjab, as stated by the secretary of schools. The official further clarified that all schools would reopen from Monday and strictly adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) designed to curb the spread of pink eye infections.
The SOPs will include thorough eye inspections of every child at school entrances, ensuring that symptomatic students do not attend classes. Conjunctivitis is an eye condition typically caused by infection or allergies and often resolves without treatment within a few weeks.
Speaking to the media after visiting the school, CM Naqvi highlighted the rapid spread of conjunctivitis in schools. He noted that six to seven children in each class were affected by the infection. The strict implementation of SOPs will begin on Monday across all educational institutions in Punjab, focusing on comprehensive eye examinations at school entrances, conducted by teachers.
