The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has announced the outbreak of conjunctivitis (red eye) disease in schools in Kampala.
In a letter dated March 13, Charles Maginot Bonnie, the Ag. Director of Education and Social Services at KCCA, noted that the Authority has been alerted by the Director of Public Health and Environment of an outbreak of Conjunctivitis (red eye disease) in Kampala.
“Cases have already been reported in some of our schools and education institutions,” the letter read.
In the interim, the KCCA health teams have asked all Principals and Headteachers to re-activate the existing infection prevention measures in schools.
“Frequent handwashing with water and soap, avoid touching or rubbing your eyes, avoid shaking hands and close contact with one another, ensure screening of visitors coming to the schools and institutions, and report suspected cases to the nearest health facility or call our toll free line, 0800299000,” he noted.
Maginot further revealed that the Director of Public Health and Environment will, in due course, issue comprehensive guidelines on the management of the outbreak.
According to health experts, conjunctivitis is the inflammation or infection of the outer membrane of the eyeball and the inner eyelid.
It can be caused by allergies or a bacterial or viral infection. Conjunctivitis can be extremely contagious and is spread by contact with eye secretions from someone who is infected.