The Ministry of Health, yesterday, issued a health alert over conjunctivitis, commonly known as red eye disease especially among children.The head of Disease Prevention and Control of Epidemic Infectious diseases at Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), Dr. Thierry Nyatanyi, yesterday told The New Times that the disease has already ravaged various parts of the country especially the Eastern Province. The disease is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the mucous membrane covering the white of the eyes and the inner side of the eye lids. The disease is characterised by an infection of the upper respiratory tract, a common cold, and/or a sore throat. Its symptoms include excessive watering and itching of eyes.Dr. Nyatanyi noted that the disease was first reported three weeks ago in Bugesera, Cyangugu, before it spread to other parts of the country. He, however, pointed out that the ministry has ably contained the virus with no new infections reported so far. Many students in Eastern Province began experiencing serious learning problems after an outbreak of conjunctivitis, head teachers in various schools in the province told The New Times.“We have issued information on public health preventive measures using various platforms to cut back on new infections. We are also encouraging people to maintain hygiene to avoid contracting the infection,” Dr Nyatanyi advised.Medicine, which usually takes two to seven days to cure the disease, is readily available in various health facilities. He advised those infected to avoid contact with other people and immediately seek treatment. The Director of Kibungo Hospital, Dr. William Namanya, confirmed the development, adding that the disease was one of the most common eye infections.“It usually simultaneously affects both eyes, although it may start in one eye and spread to the other after a day or two. It may also be asymmetrical, affecting one eye more than the other.”“We use antibiotics to hasten the easing of symptoms as well as microbial eradication. Proper hygiene and patient isolation is recommended to decrease the spread of disease,” the medic pointed out.A mother of two affected children and a resident of the area, Daria Uwitonze, mentioned that the disease was having far-reaching consequences on families, conveying her fears of sending the children back to school after treatment.“My children are down with the eye problem...my husband and I are in severe eye pains and our house help was not spared either. My children are recovering but I’m afraid they may contract the disease again at school.”
