Pink-Eye Outbreak Hits 400,000 Individuals in Pakistan; What Is It?

A viral conjunctivitis has infected hundreds of thousands of people in Pakistan. The outbreak reportedly started earlier this year and peaked last week.

Viral Conjunctivitis Outbreak in Pakistan

Nearly 400,000 residents in Pakistan were infected with conjunctivitis. It peaked over the weekend when more than 10,000 cases of pink-eye were reported in Punjab over 24 hours on Saturday. On Tuesday, 13,000 new cases were reported in a single day.

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that covers the front of the eye and the eyelids. Conjunctivitis can result from an infection of this membrane, frequently brought on by bacteria or, as in Pakistan, viruses.

Viral conjunctivitis can be brought on by various viruses, including the COVID-19 virus. According to Isabelle Jalbert, professor of optometry and visual science at UNSW Sydney, Australia, adenoviruses are the primary cause of infectious conjunctivitis, accounting for up to 75% of cases. She noted that it appears that a particularly contagious strain of the virus is what is causing the outbreak in Pakistan.

To contain the outbreak, almost 56,000 schools in Punjab province were halted between Sept. 28 and Oct. 1. There was a dramatic drop in infections that the closure of the schools may have caused; only 1,134 cases were documented in the 24 hours between Sunday and Monday.

Zulfiqar Ali, a spokesman for the Punjab education department, told Agence France-Presse that the shutdown was issued as a preventative step to provide kids with the greatest protection against the infection. Ali added that they hope this will stop the spread of infection in the province.

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What Is Adenovirus Conjunctivitis and How to Treat It?

Adenoviral conjunctivitis is the most prevalent kind of conjunctivitis, which affects the conjunctiva (the white area of the eye) and causes inflammation or discomfort. About 75% of cases of infectious conjunctivitis are caused by it. A common class of viruses called adenoviruses are easily identifiable for symptoms similar to the flu or a cold.

Direct contact (eye-to-hand contact) is the most common method of transmission. However, the virus can also be spread through coughing and sneezing. Common symptoms include eyelid swelling and irritation, inflamed pink eyes, and the discharge of tears and pus are all symptoms.

Infected individuals will clean their very red and watery eyes before touching others, which only spreads the virus. Adenovirus is known to be able to resist desiccation or drying out. According to Jalbert, it can remain alive for lengthy periods (days) on surfaces such as door knobs, countertops, etc. This method of spreading in communities is known as "fomites" through inanimate objects.

Jalbert added that preventing and controlling the spread of adenovirus conjunctivitis is the best treatment. Thus, the closing of schools is sensible to control the outbreak.

Additionally, supportive care is used to treat adenoviral conjunctivitis. For comfort, patients may be advised to use lubricants, such as chilled artificial tears and cold compresses. Although they are typically not necessary, topical vasoconstrictors and antihistamines can be used for acute itching.

A topical astringent or antibiotic may be used to avoid bacterial superinfection in patients who may be vulnerable. Clinicians frequently administer topical ganciclovir off-label for severe cases of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC), especially when corneal lesions are present because there is clinical evidence that it is efficacious against at least Adenovirus serotype 8.