The conjunctivitis cases started almost seven days ago, but since then the number has significantly increased and is turning into an outbreak. “At least 20% of our OPD cases are coming with symptoms of conjunctivitis,” said Dr J K Chouhan, senior professor (ophthalmology) at Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital.
In government hospitals situated in densely populated areas, the cases are coming in even more noticeable numbers. The turnout of patients at eye OPDs in Kanwatia hospital has increased almost four times. Kanwatia hospital is situated in Shastri Nagar area and caters to patients in the densely populated Bhatta Basti, Shastri Nagar, Vidhyadhar Nagar, Jhotwara and other nearby areas.
“In Kanwatia hospital, 400 patients came to the eye OPD, and of those 300 were eye flu cases,” said Dr Dinesh Chand Sharma, principal specialist, ophthalmology, at the hospital. Dr Sharma added, “The cause of concern is that if a person has conjunctivitis, they are infecting others and their whole family.”
He said that people should take precautions to ward of the risk of the contagious eye infection.
“During monsoon, such cases are reported more as the environment becomes conducive for growth of the bacteria. But this year, it is turning into an outbreak,” said Dr Sharma.
The footfall of patients at the government-run Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Hospital (DDUH) in the Walled City, popularly known as Gangori hospital, is also quite significant.
“Patients are coming with redness in eyes, itching, discharge from eyes, irritation and lid swelling. Such patients should not share their belongings with others, they should wash their hands properly, and they should not share their towels, handkerchiefs with others. They should ensure hand and eye hygiene to protect others from getting infected,” said Dr Vivek Jain, in charge of the eye department at DDUH.
