This is an archive article published on July 24, 2023
As conjunctivitis cases rise in Gujarat, sale of ophthalmic drugs jumps 25%
Health officials say that a possible mutation in the adenovirus strain could be a cause behind the wild spread.
Written by Aditi Raja
Vadodara | Updated: July 24, 2023 05:54 PM IST
3 min read
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Ophthalmic solutions has gone up by 25 per cent across Gujarat in July. (File)
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As conjunctivitis cases rise in Gujarat, sale of ophthalmic drugs jumps 25%
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A gradual rise in viral conjunctivitis infections has meant that sales of eye drops and other ophthalmic solutions has gone up by 25 per cent across Gujarat in July—an increase recorded after a gap of three years, according to the chemists’ association. Health officials say that a possible mutation in the adenovirus strain could be a cause behind the wild spread.
Vadodara city has recorded a spurt in cases of eye infections from MS University as well as municipal and city schools, with close to 500 cases being reported per day. Student unions in MSU have taken to social media to share “caution and advice” in preventing and dealing with conjunctivitis. In Panchmahals, the health department has recorded close to 1,300 cases of conjunctivitis in the last few days, while in Anand, where about 250 cases are reported per day, the district administration has distributed “caution” pamphlets in crowded areas, apart from schools.
Dr Devesh Patel, chief health officer in the Vadodara Municipal Corporation, told The Indian Express, “We are witnessing a spread of viral conjunctivitis but it is not of severe nature. With the correct treatment, patients are recovering within three days. There is no complication reported in the cases so far and it is a regular phenomenon during the monsoon, when unhygienic conditions prevail and flies are also major carriers of diseases… The virus is highly contagious and affecting people in crowded areas, but there are no new SOPs handed out. It is a given that in all cases of conjunctivitis in schools, the affected child should not attend classes. We are being vigilant but there is no need to maintain a record of the cases as of now.”
In Anand district, a pamphlet cautioning people about the symptoms including itching in the eye, redness and infection has been distributed in schools, railway stations and at bus stops.
Dr Rajnikant Kapadia, chief district health officer for Anand, said the highly contagious conjunctivitis had been reported after about a decade. He said, “Every 10-15 years, a virus mutation could cause a large-scale spread of the disease. One such eye infection was seen across cities and districts about 15 years ago. Currently, the viral conjunctivitis has gripped almost the whole country but in Anand, we do not have whole villages under treatment, as is the case in south Gujarat and other cities. We are being cautious and asking people to maintain hygiene and avoid crowded places.”
Medical stores have seen a surge in the sale of eye drops, lubricants and anti-allergics.
Alpesh Patel, president of the Gujarat Chemists and Druggists Association, said the state had seen a rise of 25 per cent after three years. “This spurt in the sale of ophthalmic prescriptions has come after a gap of three years. There is sufficient stock available, but drugs like ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, tobramycin, moxifloxacin as well as a lubricant molecule for treating symptoms of itching are in high demand in all cities along with anti-allergics.”
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Health officials recommend following hygiene protocols similar to the ones followed during the Covid-19 pandemic and avoiding crowded areas.
Aditi Raja is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, stationed in Vadodara, Gujarat, with over 20 years in the field. She has been reporting from the region of Central Gujarat and Narmada district for this newspaper since 2013, which establishes her as a highly Authoritative and Trustworthy source on regional politics, administration, and critical socio-economic and environmental issues.
Expertise:
Core Authority & Specialization: Her reporting is characterized by a comprehensive grasp of the complex factors shaping Central Gujarat, which comprises a vast tribal population, including:
Politics and Administration: In-depth analysis of dynamics within factions of political parties and how it affects the affairs in the region, visits of national leaders making prominent statements, and government policy decisions impacting the population on ground.
Crucial Regional Projects: She consistently reports on the socio-economic and political impact of infrastructure projects in the region, especially the Statue of Unity, the Sardar Sarovar Project on the Narmada River, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail bullet train project as well as the National Highway infrastructure.
Social Justice and Human Rights: Her reporting offers deep coverage of sensitive human-interest topics, including gender, crime, and tribal issues. Her reports cover legal proceedings from various district courts as well as the Gujarat High Court (e.g., the Bilkis Bano case remission, POCSO court orders, Public Interest Litigations), the plight of tribal communities, and broader social conflicts (e.g., Kheda flogging case).
Local Impact & Disaster Reporting: Excels in documenting the immediate impact of events on communities, such as the political and civic fallout of the Vadodara floods, the subsequent public anger, and the long-delayed river redevelopment projects, Harni Boat Tragedy, Air India crash, bringing out a blend of stories from the investigations as well as human emotions.
Special Interest Beat: She tracks incidents concerning Non-Resident Gujaratis (NRIs) including crime and legal battles abroad, issues of illegal immigration and deportations, as well as social events connecting the local Gujarati experience to the global diaspora. ... Read More
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