Residents of Busia County are in an uproar as the Red-eye disease spreads rapidly, prompting doctors to raise the alarm over this concerning outbreak.
The disease, which emerged in Teso North Sub County just a month ago, is now spreading across the county and into other parts of Uganda.
Many residents are seeking consultation and treatment at local hospitals.
Busia County Optician Harriet Kavere reports that the number of infected individuals has tripled within the past two months.
Kavere explained that the disease is caused by the adenovirus, which results in red, swollen eyes that discharge fluids.
“Someone who is infected feels like there are small stones in the eyes and they itch every time,” she said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that red eyes can be caused by a variety of factors including viruses, bacteria, allergens, contact lenses, chemicals, fungi, and certain diseases.
The CDC identifies adenoviruses as the most common viral cause of conjunctivitis, but other viruses such as the rubella virus, rubeola measles virus, herpes viruses (including herpes simplex virus and varicella-zoster virus), Epstein-Barr virus, and picornaviruses like coxsackie virus A24 and enterovirus 70 can also cause the condition.
Kavere emphasized that the Red-eye disease in Busia is most likely due to an adenovirus epidemic serotype, which spreads quickly but rarely causes long-term eye complications.
“It is usually self-limiting and therefore needs not to cause any alarm,” she added, explaining that the disease spreads through contact with infected persons or contaminated surfaces.
She urged those experiencing symptoms to seek medical attention promptly.
“They should go to the right eye doctors and not just to any doctor because the disease has various stages and one needs to be properly examined before they are treated. And an injection is not needed.”
Experts advise individuals with severe symptoms such as redness, discharge, swelling, and bleeding to seek medical attention urgently.
To prevent infection, residents are advised not to share towels with affected family members and to disinfect high-touch surfaces if a family member is infected.
Residents are now calling on the county and national governments to address the outbreak urgently and implement measures to prevent it from spreading, particularly to schools where children interact daily.
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