Tanzania issues alert over outbreak of red eye disease

Tanzania health authorities have issued a high alert over the outbreak of red eye disease.

The disease, medically known as keratoconjunctivitis, is often caused by swollen or dilated blood vessels.

Symptoms of the disease, which can occur in one or both eyes, include redness of the eyes, swelling of the eyelids, eye pain and yellowish discharge.

Speaking during a news conference in Dar es Salaam, Pascal Ruggajo, director of Curative Services in the country’s ministry of health, said preliminary investigations have shown that most people have contracted the disease in the country.

He said there has been a rise in the number of patients with red eye disease reported in health centres, adding that the government was monitoring the highly contagious infection.

He said there were 869 patients suffering from red eye disease in Dar es Salaam between December 22, 2023, and January 11, 2024.

“There is no specific treatment for this disease, and symptoms usually resolve in about two weeks even without treatment,” he said.

Ruggajo advised the public to observe hygienic practices to curb the spread of new infections.