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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 30) reminded people to guard against red-eye syndrome (acute conjunctivitis) after confirmation of an outbreak of the disease involving 18 children in a residential home in Causeway Bay.
Those affected, 12 boys and six girls aged between 1 and 4, developed irritation, pain and redness of the eyes between August 15 and 27. All of them sought medical attention from private doctors or public clinics. None of them required hospitalisation. Laboratory tests revealed that two eye swabs were positive for Coxsackie A24 virus.
A CHP spokesman said the public especially swimmers should pay attention to personal hygiene as outbreaks of acute conjunctivitis tended to occur in summer, particularly in August and September.
CHP will send letters to doctors and institutions alerting them to be vigilant against acute conjunctivitis.
Apart from this outbreak, there were six other outbreaks reported to the CHP between February and August this year, affecting a total of 54 people in institutions.
Acute conjunctivitis is a contagious condition mostly caused by bacteria and viruses. The symptoms are irritation, tears, pain and redness of the eyes. In most cases, full recovery can be expected within one to two weeks with proper treatment.
Transmission usually occurs through direct contact with discharges from the eyes or upper respiratory tracts of infected people, or indirectly through contaminated fingers, clothing and other articles. Outbreaks of acute conjunctivitis among swimmers in swimming pools have also occurred in overseas countries.
To prevent acute conjunctivitis, people are advised to pay attention to personal hygiene especially:
* avoid sharing towels and toilet articles;
* minimise hand-to-eye contact;
* wash hands thoroughly before and after contact with eyes;
* avoid sharing eye droppers, eye medicines, eye make-up and other items that may come into contact with the eyes.
Swimmers are advised to practise healthy swimming behaviour to prevent spread of illness at swimming pools:
* persons suffering from infectious diseases, especially when having diarrhoea, red-eye syndrome or hand-foot-mouth disease, should avoid entering the swimming pool area;
* do not swallow pool water;
* take a shower before swimming and wash hands after using the toilet or changing diapers;
* take children on bathroom breaks.
Patients with symptoms of acute conjunctivitis are advised to:
* seek early treatment from doctors;
* stop attending child care centres, schools or workplaces before recovery;
* properly dispose articles soiled with eye or respiratory secretions to prevent transmission of infection;
* avoid going to swimming pools.
People may call the Central Health Education Unit hotline 2833 0111 or visit CHP's website http://www.chp.gov.hk for more information.
Ends/Thursday, August 30, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:29
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