LAHORE – The government of Punjab has announced to close all private and government schools across the province for four day due to a conjunctivitis outbreak.
According to a notification, the educational institutions will remain closed from 28th September (Thursday) to 1st October (Sunday).
The decision has been taken by caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi after his visit to a government school in Lahore where students affected by conjunctivitis were in attendance.
حکومت پنجاب نے 2023-09-28 سے 2023-10-01 تک تمام سرکاری اور نجی سکولوں میں چھٹیوں کا اعلان کردیا#bignews #students #holidays #schools #reopen #monday @SchoolEduPunjab @MohsinnaqviC42 @MohsinEPunjab @GovtofPunjabPK pic.twitter.com/5ox04vmiL2
— Chief Minister Office Punjab (@cmopunjabpk) September 27, 2023
The interim chief minister summoned the secretary of schools immediately and directed that children suffering from the virus will not be allowed to attend school.
The outbreak of pinkeye (conjunctivitis) is wreaking havoc in Lahore, capital of Punjab province, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the disease burden, with over 200 patients flooding hospitals daily.
A large number of schoolchildren have been complaining of eye infections, primarily because they are not adhering to precautions at school.
Eye experts have issued warnings about the significant risk of widespread transmission of the infection due to a lack of precautions, known as viral conjunctivitis.
What is Pink eye infection (conjunctivitis)?
Pink eye is an inflammation of the transparent membrane that lines the eyelid and eyeball. This membrane is called the conjunctiva. When small blood vessels in the conjunctiva become swollen and irritated, they’re more visible. This is what causes the whites of the eyes to appear reddish or pink. Pink eye also is called conjunctivitis.
Pink eye is most often caused by a viral infection. It also can be caused by a bacterial infection, an allergic reaction or — in babies — an incompletely opened tear duct.
Though pink eye can be irritating, it rarely affects your vision. Treatments can help ease the discomfort of pink eye. Because pink eye can be contagious, getting an early diagnosis and taking certain precautions can help limit its spread.
Symptoms
The most common pink eye symptoms include: Redness in one or both eyes; itchiness in one or both eyes; a gritty feeling in one or both eyes; a discharge in one or both eyes that forms a crust during the night that may prevent your eye or eyes from opening in the morning; tearing; and sensitivity to light, called photophobia.
Punjab issues safety guidelines as pink eye infection cases swell
