NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 1 – The Ministry of Health says three cases of Red Eye Disease have been reported in Nairobi.
According to Public Health Director General Patrick Amoth one case has also been recorded in Kisii.
In a statement Amoth explained that the disease spreads by touching eyes with contaminated hands and urged Kenyans to exercise caution.
“The Ministry of Health wishes to report the outbreak of a eye disease presenting with watery red eyes in the coastal region of Kenya, (Mombasa, Malindi and Lamu),” he stated.
“The disease is most likely due to Adenovirus which spreads very fast but rarely does it cause long time complications to the eyes. It is usually self limiting and therefore need not cause any alarm.”
Amoth however described it as self limiting and stated that there was no need for alarm.
“Individuals with severe symptoms which include redness, discharge, swelling and bleeding have been instructed to seek urgent medical attention,” he said.
He cautioned Kenyans against touching eyes of infected persons or contaminated surfaces.
“The general public has been advised on measures to take to avoid contamination; Wash your hands frequently and keeps your hands off the face,” he said.
He further cautioned against sharing towels with family members who are affected.
Last week, health authorities in Tanzania issued an alert after recording 869 cases of the disease in a month, mostly in the commercial city of Dar es Salaam.
