Punjab issues safety guidelines as pink eye infection cases swell

LAHORE – The Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department in Punjab has issued an advisory as cases of pink eye infection continue to surge in various cities across the province. 

The department said it is a viral disease that spread through coughing, sneezing and touching hands, adding that it took eight to ten days to recover from it. 

Lahore witnessed a surge in number of patients infected with conjunctivitis — an inflammation of the transparent membrane that lines the eyelid and eyeball — after the infection affected several cities of Sindh, including Karachi. 

The infection caused higher tear production, pain in eye, redness and itching. It asked people to use any eye drop after consultation with doctors.  

آشوب چشم سے بچنے کیلئے احتیاط کریں۔ آشوب چشم کا مرض 8 سے 10 دن میں خود بخود ٹھیک ہو جاتا ہے۔ آنکھوں کے قطرے کسی مستند ڈاکٹر/ آئی سپیشلسٹ کے مشورے پر استعمال کریں۔@GovtofPunjabPK @cmopunjabpk @CS_Punjab pic.twitter.com/IWgQf0U7s2

— Primary & Secondary Healthcare Department (@PSHDept) September 25, 2023

The Health Department has also issued guidelines to all district authorities. It has advised the use of hand sanitizer besides asking people do not touch their eyes without washing their hands. 

It has advised against using the items under the use of people infected with the pink eye infection. It said the towel, clothes and other items of the infected persons should be kept separately.