The Ministry of Health has ordered an immediate ban of handshaking to avoid the further spread of conjunctivitis (pink eye) disease.
Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, made the directive during a press conference at Zomba Central Hospital on Thursday.
She also advised the public to refrain from sharing towels and sunglasses but to rather observe hygiene practices to curb the transmission of the disease.
The symptoms of conjunctivitis include eye itching and discharge.
Conjunctivitis recently hit some parts of the country including Karonga, Nkhatabay, Nkhotakota, Lilongwe, and on Thursday, Blantyre recorded its first case.