Health

Decrease in conjunctivitis cases

February 11, 2019 4:38 pm

The Health Ministry has noted a decrease in the number of conjunctivitis cases commonly known as “cika”.

There was an increase in these cases last month in Suva, Sigatoka, Nadi, Ba, Lautoka, and Savusavu.

The eye clinic at CWM Hospital in Suva recorded more than ten cases.

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Health Minister Dr Iferemi Waqainabete says their teams are monitoring the situation.

“Conjunctivitis is actually coming down. As you know there was a spike after Christmas and New Year and we’ve issued warnings publicly and also there has been an alert sent out to our doctors in terms of what needs to be done
Conjunctivitis is a common and usually mild infection of the eye caused by viruses, bacteria or allergies.”

It causes inflammation or swelling of the conjunctiva – the thin layer that lines the inside.

Some of the Symptoms of conjunctivitis include, pink or red color in the white of the eye, swelling of the conjunctiva, increased watery eyes, itching, irritation, or burning, discharge of pus, crusting of eyelids or lashes and sensitivity to bright light.