Conjunctivitis Outbreak Sweeps Malakand, Over 1,600 Cases Reported in Batkhela
Locals report that the outbreak has not only disrupted attendance in schools and offices but has also caused anxiety as the infection spreads from one family member to another within households.
The district of Malakand is witnessing a rapid spread of conjunctivitis (commonly known as pink eye), with hundreds of people already affected. Medical experts have warned that this viral infection is highly contagious, transferring quickly from one person to another, and the situation is becoming increasingly alarming.
According to health officials, Batkhela and Thana Baizai tehsils are among the most affected areas, where dozens of patients are visiting hospitals and private clinics daily for treatment.
Locals report that the outbreak has not only disrupted attendance in schools and offices but has also caused anxiety as the infection spreads from one family member to another within households. Healthcare workers are advising citizens to strictly follow preventive measures to contain the outbreak.
Iqbal Hussain, Media Coordinator at DHQ Hospital Batkhela, stated that 1,633 patients have so far been brought to the hospital for conjunctivitis treatment.
Hospital records indicate that the highest number of cases has been reported from Batkhela, while significant numbers are emerging from Aman Dara, Allah Dhand, Thana Tota Kan, Peeran, Agra, and Badwan. Iqbal Hussain confirmed that eye care facilities are available at the hospital and patients are continuously being instructed on precautionary measures to curb the further spread of the virus.
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Sharing his ordeal, a patient named Peer Rawad Shah said, “My younger brother was the first to get infected, but within a few days, the disease spread throughout our household. Now, our entire family is suffering from burning eyes, constant tearing, and swelling, which has disrupted our daily life and created a lot of stress. Even performing daily chores has become difficult, and educational activities have been severely affected.”
He added that the most painful moments occur when bending down. “Especially during prayers, the pain becomes unbearable in the prostration position, making it hard to perform religious obligations,” he said.
District Eye Specialist Dr. Jamal Azeem explained that conjunctivitis is a viral disease that can easily spread from one person to another. While there is no need to panic, he emphasized the importance of precautionary measures. He elaborated that the disease is mainly transmitted through physical contact such as handshakes, close interactions in crowds or gatherings, or sharing drinking glasses with an infected person.
Dr. Azeem further stated that conjunctivitis is essentially a viral infection and recovery time varies from case to case. Some patients recover within a week to 10 days, while in other cases, symptoms may persist for up to 20 to 25 days. He advised patients not to rub their eyes and to maintain physical distance from others to prevent further transmission.
Environmental Sciences lecturer Tahir Ali attributed the spread to recent floods, heavy rains, and poor sanitation conditions. “Unhygienic environments, open garbage dumps, and poor drainage systems accelerate the spread of eye infections. Therefore, maintaining cleanliness should be a top priority,” he said.
Zaid Bacha, a teacher at Government Primary School Jala Wanam, noted that the outbreak has affected academic activities as many students have contracted the infection, causing concern among parents and teachers. However, he added that since schools are already closed until August 25 due to flood and rain concerns, this temporary break might help reduce the chances of the disease spreading further.