‘Red Eye’ on the rise

The Health Ministry has issued precautionary measures in response to information from the National Surveillance Unit of an increase in reports of red eye—acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis (ACH).

The Ministry is advising members of the public to wash their hands frequently with soap and water and avoid overcrowded areas since red eye is highly contagious. If a child contracts the disease, parents and guardians are warned to keep them at home until the eyes clear. The Health Ministry said persons using swimming pools should ensure that the area is sufficiently chlorinated. AHC is caused by an enterovirus, also known as Picornavirus. It is highly infectious and can be passed between family members. It can also be spread at eye clinics. The redness and inflammation of the eye is associated with bleeding (acute subconjunctival haemorrhage). This makes the disease more serious than other types of conjunctivitis because in its severest form it can cause blindness. However, complete recovery normally occurs within one or two weeks.