Authors: Saadia Maqbool , Hina Shan , Seema Daud , Umbreen Navied , Humayun Mirza

Abstract

Worldwide, conjunctivitis (pink eye) outbreaks are common and affect people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. The data available on Google Scholar, PubMed, World Health Organization (WHO)  and Centre for Disease Control (CDC) websites from the year 2014 onwards, showed that outbreaks typically have a seasonal trend in Pakistan. Pink eye outbreaks negatively impact education and productivity because of the lost time at work and school. The cases can be categorized into infectious and non-infectious conjunctivitis depending on the etiology. The most common and most contagious type of infectious conjunctivitis is viral conjunctivitis. The condition is marked by eye pain, redness or swelling of the eye, itching, discharge from the eyes, and a gritty feeling. It often has a self-limiting course. The outbreak in Pakistan which started in September 2023, has several contributing factors, including hot, humid weather, a low air quality index, little rainfall, inadequate hand hygiene practices, and densely populated areas. Effective management requires a prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment for the underlying cause. Outbreak control measures include public health initiatives like awareness campaigns, surveillance, notification, and epidemiological investigation. Through the public health lens, this article reviews the etiology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, factors associated with outbreaks, surveillance, prevention, and control measures. 

Keywords: Conjunctivitis, Eye infection, Outbreak, Pink eye, Prevention, Public Health