Public are reminded to prevent red-eye syndrome
18 February 2005
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (February 18) reminded members of the public to guard against acute conjunctivitis (ACJ or red-eye syndrome).The advice was made following a detection of a rise in consultation rate for red-eye cases last week by the CHP's sentinel surveillance data, a CHP spokesman said.
For the week ending February 12, the consultation rate rose from 1.2 cases per 1 000 to 3.4 cases per 1 000 consultations among general out-patient clinics (GOPC) and rose from 3.8 cases per 1 000 to 8.1 cases per 1 000 consultations among patients of private doctors.
"The CHP will monitor the situation closely. Doctors participating in the sentinel surveillance system have been reminded to collect specimens for laboratory tests," the spokesman added.
He urged members of the public to pay attention to personal hygiene to prevent the infection.
"ACJ is a contagious condition mostly caused by viruses and bacteria. The symptoms are irritation, tearing, pain and redness of the eyes. It is usually a self-limiting condition with recovery in one to two weeks time with proper treatment," the spokesman said.
People with red-eye syndrome are advised to:
- seek early treatment from doctors;
- take adequate rest and stop attending child care centres, schools or workplaces before recovery;
- properly dispose articles soiled with eye or respiratory secretions to prevent transmission of infection;
- avoid going to swimming pools.
- avoid sharing towels and toilet articles;
- minimize hand-to-eye contact;
- wash hands thoroughly before and after contact with eyes;
- avoid sharing eye droppers, eye medicines, eye make-up and other items that may come into contact with the eyes.
End/Friday, February 18, 2005
