‘Red eye’ disease outbreak spreads to 17 regions

Dar es Salaam. The outbreak of viral conjunctivitis, commonly known as “red eyes”, has now spread to 17 regions, according to the government.

This signals a massive surge in the outbreak, which was first reported in Dar es Salaam earlier this month.

The Ministry of Health said then that hospitals in the city were facing an influx of patients with the disease.

The Director of Curative Services, Prof Paschal Ruggajo, said earlier this month that the disease had also been detected in Morogoro, Coast and Dodoma regions and called on Tanzanians to take precautionary measures, including washing their hands frequently.

However, the ministry said in its latest statement that the disease had spread to 17 regions by last Friday.

This resulted in an increase in confirmed cases from 1,109 to 5,359.

In Dar es Salaam alone, the number of patients rose from 869 to 4,792 in two weeks.

Apart from Dar es Salam, Morogoro, Coast and Dodoma, other regions where the disease is now prevalent are Singida, Katavi, Kilimanjaro, Mara, Iringa, Njombe, Ruvuma, Simiyu, Mtwara, Lindi, Songwe, Rukwa and Mwanza.

Prof Ruggajo told The Citizen on Monday that people must continue to abide by the same precautionary measures.

“We need to continue with the same precautionary measures if we are to curb the spread of the disease. Basically, the disease reaches its peak after six weeks to two months after which cases decline,” he said.

Apart from washing hands frequently with clean water and soap, people are also advised to avoid touching their eyes. They are advised not to share towels.

Red eye disease is characterised by sharp and persistent pain, swollen eyelids and a yellowish discharge in  one or both eyes.

In its statement released earlier this month, the Ministry of Health, said there was no specific treatment for the disease, and it heals by itself after a period of between four and six weeks.

The preventive measures also includes washing hands frequently with running water and soap after sneezing and avoiding physical contact.

They are advised not to share items used by an infected person. For example they are advised not to share pillows, washcloths, towels, eye drops, eye or face makeup, makeup brushes, contact lenses, contact lens storage cases, or eyeglasses.

Unlike other unscientific ways to prevent and treat red eyes, people are now taking on alternative ways to treat the diseases.

Some traditional ways include washing eyes with salted warm water, dropping urine or breast milk in the eyes, and using black tea among others.

Dr Sarah Mrema from Dodoma Referral Hospital’s Eye Department in Dodoma said some patients go to the hospital for treatment after they have started using alternative treatment, which does not help the patients but it only and adds up to more pain.

She warned against the use of alternative medicines as they may result in eye wounds or even sight loss.