Eye flu outbreak in Nagaland caused by enterovirus, bacterial infection, says sample test report

 DIMAPUR — The ongoing conjunctivitis or eye flu outbreak in Nagaland, which forced some district administrations to announce school closure to contain its spread, is mainly caused by enterovirus and some mixed bacterial infections.

The Department of Health and Family Welfare Nagaland updated this citing the sample reports sent to the ICMR Dibrugarh in Assam. “The infectivity of this virus is 1-2 weeks or more in some cases,” it added.

The Health department also reissued an advisory, in the interest of the public, to stop the infection.

Dos

* Maintain hand hygiene by frequently washing or sanitising hand

* Keep eyes clean

* Use soft tissues to clean or wipe eyes

* Use protective goggles when outdoors.

* Consult an Eye doctor if there is blurred vision or excessive swelling or discharge.

Don’ts

* Do not touch or rub your eyes

* Do not use eye medication without medical prescriptions

* Do not wear contact lenses.

* Do not use or share eye makeup

* Do not apply old eye medication used by someone else

* Do not use any self-made herbal in your eyes.

* Do not use breast milk, urine etc.

* Do not move around in public places if injected with conjunctivitis.

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