The Ministry of Health in Rwanda has issued a warning about a highly contagious eye infection, urging people to take preventive measures to stop its spread. The disease, identified as red eye, is transmitted through touching the eyes of infected individuals or contaminated objects.
To avoid infection, the ministry advises regular hand washing and suggests that those already infected stay away from crowded places, avoid physical contact like hugging and shaking hands, and refrain from swimming in public water pools. It also discourages the sharing of personal items like beddings among family members affected by the disease.
The ministry also provided guidance on identifying symptoms of the red eye disease, which include red, watery eyes. It specifically warned individuals with severe symptoms such as redness, swelling, and blurred vision to seek immediate medical attention to prevent potential sight impairment.
The outbreak of the red eye disease has been reported in neighboring countries Kenya and Tanzania, prompting concerns about its potential spread. Health officials suspect that the disease is caused by a virus known as adenovirus.
