Bushenyi District Health Officer Dr.Edward Mwesigye has confirmed the out break of conjunctivitis (Red eye) disease in the District.
According to Dr. Mwesigye, the district health team has already confirmed cases of the highly infectious disease in the areas of Ishaka, Kakanju, Kyeizooba, Rwentuha and Ibaare.
“I can’t be specific about the numbers but we already have isolated cases scattered across the district and what our people need to know is that it’s a highly infectious disease, it spreads fast, revealed the DHO.
Dr. Mwesigye told this reporter that if someone who is already infected touches his eyes and shakes hands with another person, the other party automatically gets infected too.
He explains, “We can however prevent it at personal level and the key measure is that we avoid direct contact, let’s do regular hand washing with soap and water and sanitise if possible.”
“We can also beat this disease if we become disciplined, isolate ourselves and get medical attention from nearest medical facility. For example we had a family where only two members got infected but were isolated on time which saved the rest,” he adds.
“The public should know that the disease is within and be vigilant. Every one could be a carrier, let’s avoid contact” Bushenyi Resident District Commissioner Mr. Robert Atuhairwe advises.
Mr. Atuhairwe adds that the district team is already on ground to sensitize it’s people on how infectious and dangerous the disease is, so that they can protect themselves.
Uganda has so far registered 7596 cases of conjunctivitis since March 3,2024 when the first cases were identified in Kampala prisons.
Conjunctivitis caused by virus is generally contagious before symptoms even appear and can remain for as long as symptoms last.
It’s signs include redness and pain in the eyes, irritation of the eye , swollen lining of the eye plus watery eyes.
