Mombasa County Health Department has issued a public health alert over the spread of conjunctivitis, commonly known as red eye disease.
Speaking to the media at the Health Department Headquarters, Mombasa County Director of Public Health and Disease Prevention Dr Salma Swaleh said the County has recorded over 150 incidences of the highly contagious and infectious disease in various public and private health facilities in the last two weeks.
Dr. Swaleh urged residents to report any cases of the disease with symptoms such as eye pain, swelling, redness, itchiness, and eye discharge to the nearest health facility in the County.
She also called on parents to keep an eye on school-going children noting that if any of the symptoms occurred, they should restrain them from going to school.
“A lot of reports have been coming from schools and madrassas where ideally children have been the most affected. We urge parents not to take their children to school in the event they notice symptoms of this contagious disease,” said Dr. Swaleh.
She further urged residents to prioritize hygiene measures as the ideal way to curb the fast-spreading disease.
She said such measures included proper sanitation in living quarters, hand washing, use of sanitizers, disinfecting surfaces, and avoiding crowded areas for people already infected.
County Ophthalmologist Consultant Dr. Nadya Mustafa said the health department was at hand to assist and recommend remedies which would include acceptable home remedies coupled with prescriptions and medical advice from certified health practitioners.
“We have acceptable home remedies which include warm and cold compresses with towels over the red and swollen eyes and in the event symptoms persist, one should immediately visit a health facility for treatment,” said Dr. Mustafa.
On Monday, neighbouring Tanzania health authorities issued a health alert over the outbreak.
By Andrew Hinga
