Pune battles highest number of Conjunctivitis cases, steps up surveillance
PuneNow, July 31, 2023: In the wake of an advisory issued by the Maharashtra Health Department calling for enhanced surveillance of Conjunctivitis, Pune has emerged as the district most heavily affected. Over 40,000 cases have been reported across the state, with 8,195 emanating from Pune, according to official reports.
The city authorities have initiated an extensive screening drive, targeting schools in an effort to identify and mitigate cases among children. Over the past week, more than 1,000 cases have been reported in the Pimpri Chinchwad area alone. An alarming spike was also noted earlier in a Bhosari school where 65 cases were reported within a day.
The outbreak’s epicenter appears to be the temple town of Alandi, where a sudden rise in cases has been observed. In the span of one week, the district administration has recorded over 2,500 cases of Conjunctivitis in Alandi and two nearby villages in the Khed taluka.
The screening process, which continues unabated, yielded an additional 2,000 cases over the weekend. As school screenings persist, more cases are coming to light, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
With Pune leading the tally followed by Buldhana with 6,693 cases, local authorities remain vigilant. The health department’s intensified focus on screening and public health education continues in a bid to stem the outbreak and ensure the safety of the city’s residents.
