850 cases of conjunctivitis reported this month

Civic hospitals in the city have already reported 850 cases of conjunctivitis in the first fortnight of this month.

Civic hospitals in the city have already reported 850 cases of conjunctivitis in the first fortnight of this month.

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“The number of cases was slightly low last year. The situation is not alarming because it is an annual phenomenon. These cases surface in September and fade away by the end of October,” said an official from the civic health department.

Dr GT Ambe, executive health officer with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, said hospitals have adequate stock of eye drops and antibiotics needed to treat conjunctivitis.

The corporation has issued an advisory to help the city tackle this communicable infection. Self-medication or buying eye drops from the pharmacy without consulting an eye specialist could be dangerous, the civic guideline says.

It cautions against swimming because the virus can spread through water. The advisory recommends that people wash their hands frequently, particularly after administering eye drops, and avoid touching their eyes too often.

“Avoid sharing towels and bedsheets with those suffering from conjunctivitis. Do not reuse handkerchiefs and maintain hygienic conditions at home,” Ambe said.