'Red eye' alert in St Lucia, say health officials

Health authorities in St Lucia have placed the island on alert for the viral conjunctivitis, more commonly known as ‘red eye’.

This follows an announcement by the Pan American Health Organisation earlier this week confirming outbreaks of the virus in the Dominican Republic, The Bahamas, Guadeloupe and Martinique.

St Lucia’s Ministry of Health said that it was important for people to identify, control and prevent the spread of the virus especially among children under the age of five.

“In light of the increased transmission in our neighbouring states of Martinique and Guadeloupe, and considering the frequent travel to and from these states, the ministry increased surveillance and is currently implementing control measures to prevent the spread of the disease,” said national epidemiologist Nahum Jn Baptiste.

Viral conjunctivitis is an infection of the covering of the surface of the eye and eyelids.

This infection is very contagious – it can easily be spread from person to person – but it can be effectively treated at home.

The germs are passed on to others through hand-to-hand contact when hands are not washed after contact with discharge from an infected eye.

Personal hygiene

Symptoms include redness or swelling of the white of the eye or inside the eyelid, watering eye and excess tears, increased sensitivity to light, and pus or discharge from the eyelids which result in eyelids being stuck together.

Jn Baptiste urged members of the public to practice personal hygiene and avoid contact with discharges from the eyes or the upper respiratory tracts of infected persons.

He urged people to seek medical treatment for affected eyes.

The Ministry of Health said that the highly contagious disease usually lasts from two days to three weeks and that affected school children should not be allowed to attend classes.