Authorities in the northeastern state of Nagaland, India, have taken the proactive measure of shutting down schools until August 26th as a result of a substantial increase in cases of conjunctivitis, commonly known as eye flu, among school children.

Reports from local government officials on Tuesday have indicated rising numbers of conjunctivitis cases in Dimapur, Chumoukedima, Niuland, and Mon districts.

“To break one of the cycles of transmission and prevent the exponential surge of eye flu cases among not only students but also teachers and parents,” government officials stated, “the deputy commissioners of these districts have decided to temporarily suspend physical classes.”

In order to ensure the continuity of education while maintaining safety, school administrators in these districts have been advised to explore the possibility of implementing online classes.

Within the state, a staggering 1,000 cases of eye flu have been reported since July 1st.

Conjunctivitis, colloquially known as pink eye, refers to the inflammation or irritation of the conjunctiva—the thin translucent membrane that covers the surface of the white part of the eyeball.

The condition may occur due to allergies, bacterial infections, or viral infections. Conjunctivitis is highly contagious and can be transmitted through contact with eye secretions of an infected individual.

Common symptoms of the ailment include redness, itching, tearing of the eyes, as well as potential discharge or crusting around the eye area.

As a preventative measure, the local health department has issued an advisory, urging people to strictly adhere to good hygiene practices, including regular handwashing and refraining from touching their eyes with unwashed hands.

Xinhua/NAN