Bhubaneswar: With monsoons fuelling increase in seasonal infections, Odisha public health director Niranjan Mishra cautioned the public about rise in conjunctivitis (pink eye) while issuing a set of hygiene guidelines here today.

Appealing to parents not to send children infected with conjunctivitis to schools, Mishra said,"Despite inadequate data, cases of conjunctivitis are on the rise in the State. As it is an extremely contagious viral infection, children affected with the condition are advised not to go to schools. Due to change of seasons and consequent variations in temperature, pathogens get active specially in clusters leading to various kinds of infections like flu, cough, cold, etc. Conjunctivitis, similarly, is a viral infection and spreads easily through physical contact."

As it is communicable, people getting the infection are asked to refrain from touching their eyes or using handkerchief and washing their hands regularly, he cautioned.

Mishra however said there is no cause for alarm. "Conjunctivitis usually gets better within a week. If people exercise basic hygiene and safety guidelines, there is no need to panic. Regular washing of hands can lead to fever and headache but there is no need to worry," he said.

Conjunctivitis is is an irritation or inflammation of the outer membrane of the eyeball and the inner eyelid. It can be extremely contagious and is spread by contact with eye secretions from someone who is infected.

Symptoms include redness, itching and tearing of the eyes. It can also lead to discharge or crusting around the eyes.