Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, August 17, 2017. Several Caribbean islands have reported outbreaks of conjunctivitis at health facilities and medical practices.
“The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is currently monitoring the situation and we want to urge
persons to take the necessary precautions to prevent and reduce the spread of this illness,” said Dr Virginia Asin-Oostburg, Director, Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control.
Conjunctivitis refers to inflammation of the membrane covering the whites of the eyes and the inside of
the eyelids. The congestion of blood vessels in this membrane gives rise to a reddened appearance and
explains the more common names “red eye or pink eye”.
The most common causes of conjunctivitis are viruses, bacteria, and allergens. Viral and bacterial
conjunctivitis are very contagious and can spread easily from person to person.
Eye symptoms can include:
• Redness; irritation; itchiness; production of excessive tears
• Clear or yellow discharge that may make the eyelids stick together, especially on mornings
• Swelling of the eye lids
The risk of getting conjunctivitis, or spreading it to someone else can be reduced. CARPHA wishes to
advise the members of the public to practice some simple good, hygiene steps:
• Avoid close contact with persons who are ill with conjunctival symptoms
• Keep unwashed hands away from face and eyes
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. Alternatively, you may use an alcohol based
hand-sanitizer.
• Avoid sharing personal items, such as pillows, washcloths, towels, eye drops, eye makeup, face
makeup, makeup brushes, contact lenses and, contact lens containers, or eyeglasses.
• Disinfect frequently-touched surfaces in common areas, (for example doorknobs, counter-tops in
shared spaces).
• If you are infected avoid using makeup and applicators, (for example brushes and sponges)
• If you are infected, wash hands well before and after cleaning, or applying eye drops or ointment
to, your infected eye.
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