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Schools in Several Districts in Arunachal Pradesh Closed Temporarily Due to Conjunctivitis Outbreak

Amidst a surge in conjunctivitis cases, particularly affecting children, several district administrations in Arunachal Pradesh have taken precautionary measures to control the spread of the disease.
 

Amidst a surge in conjunctivitis cases, particularly affecting children, several district administrations in Arunachal Pradesh have taken precautionary measures to control the spread of the disease. On Thursday, officials reported that district administrations in Itanagar, Kanubari sub-division of Longding district, Namsai, and East Siang have ordered a temporary suspension of school activities.

As part of the measures, all private and government schools in East Siang will remain closed until August 2, while educational institutes in Namsai will suspend activities until July 31. The decision was based on a comprehensive survey conducted by district surveillance units, which revealed a rise in conjunctivitis cases.

The authorities decided to close schools temporarily as a necessary step to contain the spread of the infection among students. East Siang Deputy Commissioner Tayi Taggu emphasized the importance of maintaining hygiene practices to curb the infection and urged people to follow guidelines and advisories issued by the district medical officer to protect their health.

Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, can spread easily through direct or indirect contact with eye secretions, contaminated objects, or respiratory droplets from infected individuals. To break the chain of transmission among children, the Namsai administration also opted to temporarily close schools and instructed school-going children and infected individuals to self-isolate and quarantine.

In Lower Dibang Valley, more than 100 conjunctivitis cases have been reported from various schools, and the number is increasing. All schools in the district have been directed to follow public health advisories issued by the Roing hospital, which include frequent hand washing, avoiding touching the eyes, refraining from sharing personal items, and isolating infected individuals.

In Khonsa, the Tirap administration, in collaboration with the district health society, conducted a survey and awareness program on acute conjunctivitis at Ramakrishna Sarada Mission Girls’ School. Tirap Deputy Commissioner Hento Karga advised students and staff to maintain hygiene to control the spread of the infection. He highlighted that closing schools would not be a solution, as it would affect academic programs. Instead, he encouraged individuals to maintain social distance and hygiene to break the chain of infection.