Grenada confirms outbreak of ‘red eye’

Grenada is in the midst of an outbreak of viral conjunctivitis, also known as red eye.

The health ministry have confirmed the news.

The number of cases in September are almost as high as the total number of cases between January and August 2017.

“With respect to the current increased incidence of this syndrome, the ministry is reporting 41 cases in total throughout the entire island from the period January to August 2017,” the Ministry of Health said in a statement.

“However, during the first week of September, a total of 40 cases were identified in one particular health district setting off red indicators.”

In July, health officials reported that they were actively monitoring an outbreak of conjunctivitis in the region.

Senior Medical Officer, Dr Francis Martin, said that the current outbreak is viral and can be transmitted by person to person.

“There is absolutely no evidence or confirmation that the outbreak is airborne,” he said, urging the public to practice proper hygiene practices.

Conjunctivitis is redness and swelling of the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that lines the eyelid and eye surface. The lining of the eye is usually clear.

If irritation or infection occurs, the lining becomes red and swollen.