Pink eye spreads

The Western regional Healthy Authority is reporting a significant increase in Western Jamaica in the number of cases of conjunctivitis, commonly called pink eye.



It says this is based on its assessment of the number of cases for the last six weeks, in comparison to the corresponding period last year.



The authority says its data shows that, while there were 53 reported cases between September 6 and October 11, 2007, there were 439 cases for September 8 to October 13, this year.



A parish-by-parish breakdown shows Westmoreland having the highest number of reported cases, followed by St James.



For the period last year, Westmoreland had four cases compared to 187 this year, while St James reported 22 cases last year and 135 this year.



Trelawny recorded 63 cases during the 2008 recording period against last year’s 20. Hanover had 54 cases this year and seven last year.



Acting regional technical director of the Western regional Health Authority, Dr Maung Aung is urging all Jamaicans to be vigilant and follow all necessary instructions issued by the Ministry of Health to avoid infection.



The last reported outbreak of pink eye in Jamaica was in 2003.