‘Eye flu’ cases are on the rise in Jammu Kashmir as the hospitals across the region continue to receive patients complaining of irritation, redness, swelling and itching in their eyes.
Doctors from Kashmir and Jammu divisions told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the cases of conjunctivitis, popularly known as ‘eye flu’, are on the rise in Kashmir division while cases have started declining in Jammu division.
They, however, said there is no need to worry as it goes away in one to two weeks.
An official from the Directorate of Health Services Jammu told KNO that 14,412 cases of conjunctivitis were reported in Jammu division including GMC Jammu.
Giving further details, he said so far 3,274 cases have been reported in Jammu district, 789 in Doda, 1,956 in Kathua, 604 in Kishtwar, 946 in Poonch, 1,066 in Rajouri, 975 in Ramban, 401 in Reasi, 1,471 in Samba, 849 in Udhampur and 1,631 in GMC Jammu.
Director Health Services Kashmir Dr Mir Mushtaq said that so far 11,751 cases of ‘eye flu’ have been reported in Kashmir hospitals.
Giving further details, he said that so far 622 cases have been reported in Kulgam district, 703 in Kupwara, 1,719 in Pulwama, 938 in Shopian, 1,363 in Srinagar, 1,876 in Anantnag, 1,042 in Bandipora, 1697 in Baramulla, 1,287 in Budgam and 504 in Ganderbal.
Officials said that around two thousand cases have been reported in Jammu division since 21 August and cases have started declining as today 132 cases were reported. Last week, around 400 cases were reported every day.
They said that cases continue to surge in Kashmir division as around 3,000 cases have been reported in the division since August 21.
The doctors said it is a “self-limiting infection” and each individual’s immunity will have a role to play in the course of the disease. They advised the people to wash their hands frequently with soap and water and disinfect touched surfaces like doorknobs, etc.
The people must avoid touching or rubbing their eyes, sharing personal items, wearing contact lenses, crowded places and swimming poles, they said, adding that an ophthalmologist must be consulted if there is severe eye pain, blurring of vision, sensitivity to light associated with throat pain and fever and if the symptoms go worse and don’t improve after 24 hours—(KNO)