BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, AUGUST 19TH 2017 – A week after a local medical doctor confirmed “an outbreak of ‘red eye’ that is pretty widespread” in St. Kitts and Nevis, the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is confirming outbreaks of conjunctivitis at health facilities and medical practices in several Caribbean islands.
In a statement CARPHA’s Director for Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control, Dr. Virginia Asin-Oostburg, said the agency is currently monitoring the situation and urged persons to take the necessary precautions to prevent and reduce the spread of this illness.
“Conjunctivitis refers to inflammation of the membrane covering the whites of the eyes and the inside of the eyelids. The congestion of blood vessels in this membrane gives rise to a reddened appearance and explains the more common names ‘red eye or pink eye’, said the CARPHA official.
She said that the most common causes of conjunctivitis are viruses, bacteria, and allergens. Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are very contagious and can spread easily from person to person.
According to CARPHA, eye symptoms can include redness; irritation; itchiness; production of excessive tears; clear or yellow discharge that may make the eyelids stick together, especially on mornings and swelling of the eye lids.
It said the risk of getting conjunctivitis, or spreading it to someone else can be reduced and CARPHA advised members of the public to practice some simple good, hygiene steps which include: avoiding close contact with persons who are ill with conjunctival symptoms; keeping unwashed hands away from face and eyes; washing hands often with soap and warm water and alternatively using an alcohol based hand-sanitizer.
Persons can also avoid sharing personal items, such as pillows, washcloths, towels, eye drops, eye makeup, face makeup, makeup brushes, contact lenses and, contact lens containers, or eyeglasses.
CARPHA also advised persons to disinfect frequently-touched surfaces in common areas, (for example doorknobs, counter-tops in shared spaces).
“If you are infected avoid using makeup and applicators, (for example brushes and sponges), wash hands well before and after cleaning, or applying eye drops or ointment to your infected eye,” said CARPHA.
CARPHA further advised that once the infection goes away, it is important to avoid re-infection by discarding disposable contact lenses and cases that were used while eyes were infected.
“Extended wear lenses should also be discarded, or, at the least, sterilised as directed by eye-care professional. It is advisable that eyes are examined by an eye care professional before beginning to use contact lenses again after a bout of conjunctivitis and clean eyeglasses and cases that were used while infected,” said the CARPHA statement.
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