Tanzania has advised members of the public to take preventive measures following the outbreak of red eye disease.
Speaking on Monday, Director of Medical Services in the Ministry of Health, Prof Pascal Ruggajo said that the disease (medically known as conjunctivitis) has hit Dar es Salaam, Coast and Dodoma regions.
He admonished citizens to take various precautions, including avoiding touching their eyes with their hands, washing hands with clean water and soap, and maintaining overall hygiene to prevent the further spread of the disease.
Ruggajo who is a consultant nephrologist and lecturer, added that depending on the individual affected, the disease has no specific treatment and typically resolves within two to six weeks. He advised the people not to use unverified medications to avoid further complications.
“The government is closely monitoring the trend of this disease and continues to provide warnings. As we have mentioned, we advise citizens to pay attention to hygiene practices, which involve avoiding contact when sneezing, touching the eyes and washing with running water and soap.”
Prof Lugajo reported that there were already reports from Dar es Salaam, Coast and Dodoma regions.
In Dar es Salaam there are about 869 cases compared to only 17 cases in December 2023.
The professor further described the symptoms of the rapidly spreading disease, which include red, itchy, and burning eyes, as well as swelling, sensitivity to light and the presence of white or yellow discharge.
Some persons may also experience additional symptoms such as severe headaches, extreme fatigue and swollen lymph nodes around the neck or head.
Many citizens panicked over the rising ailment, however, thus far, there has been no reports of any fatalities linked to ‘Red Eyes’.