Authorities in Kampala, Uganda, have declared an outbreak of conjunctivitis, a highly contagious eye infection, spreading across the city and affecting schools. The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has issued directives to schools, urging preventative measures such as screening visitors, instructing students to avoid rubbing their eyes, and promoting frequent handwashing with soap to curb the spread of the infection.
Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, manifests with symptoms such as red or pink eyes, watery eyes, blurred vision, discomfort, itching, and swelling of the eye lining. Uganda joins other African countries, including Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Comoros, Madagascar, and Mayotte, in recording cases of the disease this year. Rwanda has also issued an alert regarding conjunctivitis.
While the infection tends to heal on its own with good hygiene practices and avoiding contact with infected individuals, proactive measures are essential to prevent further spread.
Source: BBC NEWS