Pune, 11th August 2023: Maharashtra state has been grappling with a significant surge in eye infections, sparking concerns among health authorities and residents alike. Since the onset of July, a worrying increase in reported cases has been observed across various regions, with the number of affected individuals soaring to an alarming count of 357,000 patients as of August 9th. Shockingly, this marks a staggering escalation of approximately 150,000 cases within the span of just a single week.
The rise in eye infections has been a cause for growing alarm, particularly due to the rapidity of its spread across the state. This concerning trend initially manifested itself at the beginning of July and has since exhibited an unrelenting surge. In a distressing pattern, the number of reported cases in Maharashtra stood at 187,000 on August 3rd, but within just six days, it catapulted to an astonishing 357,000 by August 9th. Notably, children appear to be disproportionately affected among the patients, as emphasized by Dr. Pratap Singh Saranikar, Joint Director of Health Services.
Among the various districts grappling with this issue, Buldhana has reported the highest number of cases, with an alarming count of 44,398 patients suffering from eye problems. Pune closely follows with 28,042 cases, while Jalgaon, Nanded, and Chandrapur report 22,417, 18,196, and 15,348 cases, respectively. Within the limits of Pune Municipal Corporation, 6,720 patients have been identified, while in Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation limits, 6,010 patients have been reported. Mumbai has reported 2,862 cases.
The surge in eye infections has prompted immediate attention from health authorities who are actively engaged in addressing the situation. Public awareness campaigns have been launched to educate residents about eye health and the significance of maintaining proper hygiene practices to prevent the further spread of infections. As the state grapples with this concerning health issue, it becomes increasingly vital for individuals to adopt stringent preventive measures and seek timely medical attention if symptoms arise.
