In the last three weeks, 100 people have fallen ill with Shapu disease (Seasonal hyperacute panuveitis). It is an eye infection caused by white butterfly. This is the first time in 46 years that so many patients have been seen.
Dr Ranju Kharel, a senior ophthalmologist at TRI Teaching Hospital, urged to be vigilant as the risk of the disease may increase for another three months. According to him, it affects the inner part of the eye and pus accumulates in the inner part. The disease is most common in children. It also affects senior citizens from 38 days old to 80 years old.
According to Associate Professor Dr. Kharel, Shapu patients are more prevalent in the Mid-Hill Districts of Province 1, Bagmati and Lumbini.
He said that not all white butterflies are harmful and that the white butterflies with black stripes and yellow on the tail are harmful. At present, there are plenty of white butterflies in Pokhara. In some cases, the disease has been reported in people who have not been exposed to white butterflies.
Symptoms of this disease include sudden redness of one eye and dimming of the light in the eye. He said that if one eye is red, it should be tested immediately at the nearest eye treatment center.
It is said that the eyes become dry. At present, the Himalayan Eye Hospital in Gandaki and the Lumbini Eye Center in Lumbini are said to be overcrowded.
According to Dr. Kharel, there are three stages of the disease.
At first, the redness of the eye is called normal and in this case, the eye can be restored to its previous state. If left untreated under normal conditions, pus will form in the eyes. This is called a moderate Shapu. If left untreated, this condition can lead to many serious illnesses.
In the first case, treatment is possible with a small amount of eye drops. In moderate cases, injections may be needed inside the eye. According to him, in very complex cases, all the eyelids get puffy and need to be treated with complex surgery. Treatment is also expensive and it is not certain how much the vision will return.
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Health and Population Dr Krishna Prasad Poudel said that more children are infected with the disease.
Prevention
- Stay away from white butterfly contact
- Lets not let the children play around the bush.
- Let's sleep at night by turning off the lights with closed the window and door.
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