Red Eye disease confirmed in 5 districts
THE health ministry has confirmed that conjunctivitis, commonly referred to as red eyes, has hit five districts.Paul Kagwa, the assistant commissioner of health services, said the disease has been confirmed in the central Uganda districts of Kampala, Mpigi, Luwero, Wakiso and Kayunga.
By Conan Businge
and Ismael Kasooha
THE health ministry has confirmed that conjunctivitis, commonly referred to as red eyes, has hit five districts.Paul Kagwa, the assistant commissioner of health services, said the disease has been confirmed in the central Uganda districts of Kampala, Mpigi, Luwero, Wakiso and Kayunga.
Asked about reports that the infection had also hit Hoima district in western Uganda, he said it was being investigated.
Kagwa also noted that the disease is containable. “We are doing our best to ensure that the infected persons are treated. We are also encouraging people to boost their hygiene to avoid contracting it,†he said.
The health ministry was by press time still compiling reports from the five districts to ascertain the number of people who have been infected.
Over 300 people in Kampala were last month reported by Kampala City Council’s senior health officer Joseph Senzoga to have contracted the disease.
There are also reports that about five people have been hospitalised in Hoima.
Other reports emerged yesterday that Kibaale district in western Uganda had also been hit by the red eye infection. Over 200 people are said to have been infected in one cell and two schools.
The affected schools are Kagadi Academy and Kagadi Day and Boarding Primary School, located in Kagadi town. Richard Namanya, the head teacher of Kagadi Day and Boarding Primary School, said the infection hit the school last week.
He said the infected pupils got treatment from Kagadi, but are not admitted. Homesteads neighbouring the two schools are also reported to have contracted the eye infection.
Conjunctivitis, which is an inflammation or redness of the white part of the eye and the eyelids, can be caused by a virus or bacteria. Blood vessels in the eyes are enlarged or dilated, leading to the redness.
While viral conjunctivitis usually produces a watery or mucous discharge in the eyes, bacterial conjunctivitis produces a thick, yellowish-green discharge, and may be associated with respiratory infections or sore throat.
Red eyes can affect either one or both eyes. It is characterised by itching, excessive tearing, blurry vision, swelling in the eye lids and sensitivity to light.
The health ministry disability prevention programme’s manager, Dr. Stanley Bubikire, said the disease is containable. ‘It quickly responds to treatment and we are asking all those infected to quickly seek medical attention.â€
A person suffering from conjunctivitis will have trouble opening their eyes when they wake up.
The infections are not fatal but the infected person can become blind if they are not urgently attended to.
The disease can be prevented by isolating suspected cases, washing hands and face with soap and water, and not sharing towels and handkerchiefs.
Uganda first had an outbreak of red eyes in 1998. The disease also hit the country in 2007, when 300 students of Moyo Secondary School were infected.
and Ismael Kasooha
THE health ministry has confirmed that conjunctivitis, commonly referred to as red eyes, has hit five districts.Paul Kagwa, the assistant commissioner of health services, said the disease has been confirmed in the central Uganda districts of Kampala, Mpigi, Luwero, Wakiso and Kayunga.
Asked about reports that the infection had also hit Hoima district in western Uganda, he said it was being investigated.
Kagwa also noted that the disease is containable. “We are doing our best to ensure that the infected persons are treated. We are also encouraging people to boost their hygiene to avoid contracting it,†he said.
The health ministry was by press time still compiling reports from the five districts to ascertain the number of people who have been infected.
Over 300 people in Kampala were last month reported by Kampala City Council’s senior health officer Joseph Senzoga to have contracted the disease.
There are also reports that about five people have been hospitalised in Hoima.
Other reports emerged yesterday that Kibaale district in western Uganda had also been hit by the red eye infection. Over 200 people are said to have been infected in one cell and two schools.
The affected schools are Kagadi Academy and Kagadi Day and Boarding Primary School, located in Kagadi town. Richard Namanya, the head teacher of Kagadi Day and Boarding Primary School, said the infection hit the school last week.
He said the infected pupils got treatment from Kagadi, but are not admitted. Homesteads neighbouring the two schools are also reported to have contracted the eye infection.
Conjunctivitis, which is an inflammation or redness of the white part of the eye and the eyelids, can be caused by a virus or bacteria. Blood vessels in the eyes are enlarged or dilated, leading to the redness.
While viral conjunctivitis usually produces a watery or mucous discharge in the eyes, bacterial conjunctivitis produces a thick, yellowish-green discharge, and may be associated with respiratory infections or sore throat.
Red eyes can affect either one or both eyes. It is characterised by itching, excessive tearing, blurry vision, swelling in the eye lids and sensitivity to light.
The health ministry disability prevention programme’s manager, Dr. Stanley Bubikire, said the disease is containable. ‘It quickly responds to treatment and we are asking all those infected to quickly seek medical attention.â€
A person suffering from conjunctivitis will have trouble opening their eyes when they wake up.
The infections are not fatal but the infected person can become blind if they are not urgently attended to.
The disease can be prevented by isolating suspected cases, washing hands and face with soap and water, and not sharing towels and handkerchiefs.
Uganda first had an outbreak of red eyes in 1998. The disease also hit the country in 2007, when 300 students of Moyo Secondary School were infected.