Red Eyes Disease Outbreak In Prisons, Schools Worries Health Ministry

The ministry says that this outbreak has been identified in several schools in the capital city Kampala and eight prison facilities in the country. The circular released by the health ministry indicated the disease has affected prisons like Luzira Upper Prison, Murchison Bay, Kasanda, Kaweeri, Lira Main, Erute, Pader, and Kampala remand prisons.

In Kampala's capital city Nakawa and Rubaga divisions have been affected. So far, a total of 954 cases have been registered as of 13th March 2024 with an incidence of 353.

Cases totaling 790 have been diagnosed in the affected prison facilities, of which 711 have been declared as recovered rating to 90% recovery. The incident cases are mainly admitted as new inmates by police who initiate the cascade of in-custody transmission.

The ministry warns on direct contact, sharing of personal items such as towels or pillowcases, facial contact, or sharing of eye drops or eyeglasses as some of the spreading factors. Among the symptoms may include, redness in the white of the eye or inner eyelid, increased tears, thick yellow discharge over the eyelashes, itching,blurred vision and sensitivity to light.The contagious period lies within the first 10-12 days while the infection can last up to three weeks. The ministry said.

The ministry has however has advised on preventive measures like maintaining high sanitation standards ,frequently washing hands with clean water and soap,avoiding direct contact with infected individuals,avoiding touching the yes and shaking hands and refraining from sharing items with infected persons like pillows,washcloths,towels, eyedrops or eyeglasses.