The Minster of Health, Dr. Stephen Malinga has urged members of Parliament to sensitize the public on ways of preventing the red eye disease from spreading in communities.
The outbreak of this disease was first reported in Kisenyi Parish, central division of Kampala about 6 weeks ago. Outbreaks have also been reported in other nine districts of Uganda including, Wakiso, Mpigi, Hoima, Yumbe, Lira, Nebbi, Pallisa Luwero and Bundibugyo.
Dr. Stephen Malinga, Uganda's minister of Health
Dr. Malinga has told Parliament that the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the World Health Organization has developed guidelines on how best to respond to the epidemic outbreak in the various districts.
He says the role of MPs in ensuring the various districts follow these guidelines is important if Uganda is to combat this red eye outbreak.
The minister has also appealed to the public to maintain good hygiene as means of preventing the red eye disease from easily spreading.
Dr. Malinga says people should quickly report any case of the red eye disease to the nearest health center for appropriate treatment.
Red Eyes is an acute inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva which causes a sudden onset of acute irritation, pain and soreness in the eyes plus watery discharge and a feeling of foreign body sensation in the eyes. Red yes also causes photophobia in other increases sensitivity to light.
It is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus known as Adenovirus and is transmitted through air droplets carried by the dust and the wind; direct contact with eyes secretions for instance tears, shaking hands that carry the virus, dirty handkerchiefs, sharing face towels and poor personal hygiene.
Red eyes has no specific treatment just like other viral infections though supportive treatment like antibiotic ointment can be given in case of bacterial secondary infection.
More information
Red eye re-emerges – The Observer
About Red eye– Wikipedia
By Tiberindwa Zacharia, Ultimate Media