January 21: An outbreak of conjunctivitis has been reported at the Gelephu tshachu or hot spring.

The Gelephu tsachu is known to cure several diseases and attracts a large number of people especially during the winter.

Our Gelephu correspondent says many people are going back home with conjunctivitis.

The caretaker of the tshachu said in December some people who were suffering from conjunctivitis visited the tshachu. He said the outbreak could have been caused by them.

Some of the visitors said because of the huge crowd, the health and hygiene standard at the tshachu is poor. They said they got the disease after soaking in the tshachu.

Doctors at the Gelephu Regional Referral Hospital said more than 100 people visited the hospital in the last two months with conjunctivitis.

Dr. Nor Tshering, the hospital’s ophthalmologist said they receive at least two to three cases every day. He said it would be advisable to close the tshachu for about a month and clean it thoroughly before opening it to the public again.

Meanwhile, the Gelephu Dungpa Tenzing Thinley said the tshachu might have to be closed temporarily if the matter becomes serious. However, he said it will not be appropriate to close immediately since many people from far flung areas have already come to the tshachu. He said the Dungkhag Administration will inform the public before closing the Tshachu.

The Gelephu tshachu attracts thousands of people especially from December to February. Most of the visitors are from Bumthang, Trongsa, and Zhemgang.

Gelephu tshachu is located 15 kilometers from the town.