Guwahati, July 24, 2023: The administration of Longding district in Arunachal Pradesh has taken precautionary measures in response to an outbreak of conjunctivitis in the Kanubari sub-division. In an effort to curb the spread of the highly contagious disease, the Longding Deputy Commissioner, Bani Lego, issued a circular ordering the temporary closure of schools in the Kanubari and Lawnu educational blocks. The closure is set to be in effect until July 29, aimed at breaking the chain of transmission.

Conjunctivitis, commonly known as “pink eye,” is caused by various viruses and is characterized by symptoms such as redness, itching, excessive tearing, and a gritty sensation in the eyes. The disease can easily spread through direct or indirect contact with infected individuals’ eye secretions, contaminated objects, or respiratory droplets.

To prevent further transmission, health authorities have emphasized the importance of frequent hand washing, avoiding touching one’s eyes, maintaining personal hygiene, disinfecting surfaces, and isolating infected individuals.

The decision to close the schools was made following a report from the Kanubari block education officer (BEO). However, the exact number of affected students has not been disclosed yet.

Additionally, there have been reports of suspected conjunctivitis outbreaks in several schools in the neighboring West Siang district, warranting heightened vigilance in the region.