To address the escalating outbreak of conjunctivitis, Mohsin Raza Naqvi, the interim Chief Minister of Punjab, has made a significant announcement.
He declared on Wednesday that all schools in Punjab, including those in Lahore, will be temporarily shut down on September 28. This proactive decision is a preventive step taken to curb the wider transmission of the highly contagious eye infection within the student population.
Furthermore, as part of these precautionary measures, students up to matriculation classes will undergo screening at the school entrances, starting from Monday.
The province has witnessed the highest number of infections, with Lahore being the epicenter of this concerning surge. This upswing in cases has drawn attention, notably due to reports suggesting that individuals of all age groups are being affected by this infection.
A significant portion of school-going children has reported eye infections, largely attributed to a lack of adherence to safety measures within schools. Additionally, there have been instances where school administrations have permitted students to remain at home upon contracting the virus and advising parents to provide special care for their children.
Medical experts point out that conjunctivitis, commonly known as pinkeye, is spreading rapidly in densely populated urban areas, where individuals are exposed to less-than-ideal environments, including factories, bazaars, markets, and shopping plazas.
Recognizing the escalating situation, the Punjab School Education Department has issued a notification today, declaring a four-day holiday in response to the rising number of cases.
