John Wilbert & Rabindranath Biswas
Port Blair, Dec 14: With the onset of monsoon and time thereafter is often prone to rise in diseases, from witnessing an uptick in cases of viral fever to some fatal diseases like Andaman fever (leptospirosis) in Port Blair; while eye infection- conjunctivitis- another virus is spreading rapidly in the entire Port Blair city.
Although conjunctivitis is not a serious health threat most of the time, but still there is a need to take precaution to prevent the infection.
According to DHS sources, over the past three weeks, conjunctivitis infection has grown three-fold. The GB Pant hospital is witnessing six to seven cases daily.
When contacted, Dr.Sutapa Das, HOD, ophthalmologist told Andaman Sheekha that the infection is seen among all age groups and cases have been going up day by day. Although the infection spreads by direct contact with the people who suffer from the condition may rub their eye and touch others causing the virus to spread.
People infected with ‘conjunctivitis’ might experience redness, itchiness, irritation, and grittiness in their eyes, while symptoms are common cold or flu like symptoms, fever, sore throat, Pink Eye, acute bronchitis, pneumonia, diarrhea, acute gastroenteritis etc. They may also face the issue of watery discharge from eyes similar to tears. The spread of the infection to another eye is very common. Spread among people of all age groups as the infected person can come in contact with others.
People are at high risk for severe adenovirus infection who are with weakened immune systems (including medications for heart or lung diseases). Certain types of viruses have been linked to more severe illness. Rarely, otherwise healthy people with adenovirus infection will become so ill that they need to be hospitalized.
If a person is suffering from this condition, and in case of severe infection people should compulsorily consult an ophthalmologist and to avoid self-medication and avoid touching others to stop the spread and also cover their eyes at all times. This will allow them to avoid touching their eyes on a frequent basis and should wash their hands frequently with soap to avoid risks of contracting the infection and stop spread infection,” the Doctor added.
Amid this, Mrs. Sampa Banerjee, a Member of UT Commission requested the Education Department for taking the required precautions in the school in the matter. Parents have been advised to take precautions to prevent the spread of conjunctivitis diseaseamong children. The School Authority should seriously handle the situation in case any student comes up with eye problem or showing signs/symptoms of the conjunctivitis, they should call his/her parents and send back to their home andmay grant leave till the student is fully cured. It is mostly common among children as they are unaware about maintaining hygiene while suffering from this condition.
The Directorate of Health Services should conduct awareness camps in schools across the islands, Mrs. Banerjee further suggested.
