Chinese lights infect eyes of 400 in Rajnandgaon

RAIPUR: In yet another case of mass-scale eye-infection, nearly 400 people including children and women complained of irritation and swelling in eyes after few China-made halogen lamps burst during a cultural program at Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon district.
While many couldn't open their eyes, others suffered from cute swelling, redness, watery eyes. A team of doctors rushed to the village and held a camp for two days where they said that the situation was much under control.When contacted, chief medical officer Dr Mithilesh Choudhary told TOI, "The incident took place at Kanhardabri village of Dongargaon block in Rajnandgaon on Thursday night.Of the population of 600 people, about 400 were out attending a cultural programme of Navratra in the village. While their eyes were anyway affected after being in contact with China-made lamps for the whole night, things might have got worse when six of the lamps burst due to heavy rains."Dr Choudhary said that the lamps despite bursting were very much lit and the programme continued till early morning. Everyone went home and slept till evening and only after waking up they realise that people in large number were suffering from eye-infection on Friday. Soon, district hospital was informed and a team of about 15-20 doctors were rushed to the spot who held a camp at the village and treated patients whole the night.
"They complained of redness, burning sensation and swelling in eyes. While 94% of patients are feeling much better now, others would be fine within a day's time. The camp is still on and doctors are there to review the situation. Similar incident recently in September took place in Balod district and Dallirajhara when 800 people were affected with infection, swelling and blurred vision during an event where China-made lights were fitted.Chief minister Raman Singh had said that state would impose a ban on China-made lights if these kind of incidents of eye-infection due to China-made lamps recur.