KwaZulu-Natal pink eye outbreak: over 25 000 infected, Health Minister reveals
|Published
Durban — After months of silence on the pink eye outbreak that plagued KwaZulu-Natal earlier this year, light has been shed on the infection, where 25 330 people were infected.
This was the result of last month’s parliamentary written question by the DA’s Michéle Clarke who asked Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi whether the Department of Health has determined the cause of February’s pink eye outbreak.
Clarke also asked whether all infected individuals had recovered.
Additionally, Clarke asked if the outbreak had been successfully dealt with.
Motsoaledi said that while the specific cause of the outbreak was not determined, but the causative organism was identified as the coxsackie virus.
“The total number of cases that (were) presented to health facilities was 25 330,” Motsoaledi said.
“All the cases that (were) presented at health facilities were successfully treated.
“The outbreak is over, and all individuals have recovered fully,” Motsoaledi said.
Earlier this year, KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane said pink eye can be caused by viruses, bacteria, allergens, a chemical splash in the eye, a foreign object in the eye, a blocked tear duct in newborns, contact lens use, fungi and certain diseases.
On March 5, Simelane said there was an increase in the number of cases around the eThekwini District, with a few recorded in the Ugu District.
The figures grew as follows:
- February 29 = 161 cumulative
- March 1 = 808 cumulative (607 new cases)
- March 2 = 958 cumulative (150 new cases)
- March 3 = 1044 (86 new cases).
On March 2, Simelane said at least 161 cases of pink eye were confirmed in various parts of the eThekwini District, since February 26.
The cases were recorded at Clairwood Hospital (55), KZN Children’s Hospital (50), Cato Manor Community Health Centre (39), McCord Hospital (15) and Halley Stott Clinic (2).
During the outbreak, general practitioner Dr Nishen Gounder, who practises at Netcare Medicross Malvern, gave the following 10 tips for preventing and treating pink eye:
- If you suspect you or your child may have pink eye, visit your general practitioner and seek their guidance on treating the condition.
- Ensure your doctor provides a sick note while you wait for the pink eye discharge to stop, usually after 24 hours of antibacterial treatment.
- Be strict in general hygiene practices to protect yourself against pink eye infection. Remember that hand-washing with soap or alcohol-based sanitising is an effective way to keep you and your loved ones safe from pink eye and many other infectious illnesses.
- Where possible, avoid contact with people who have pink eye. Avoid physical contact, such as shaking hands, sharing pens, phones, touch screens, and make-up.
- If you’re exposed to someone with pink eye, wash your hands often with soap and water and change your bed linen daily. Don’t share facecloths, towels, or pillows.
- Stop using contact lenses as soon as you suspect you may have pink eye.
- Seek medical advice immediately if you experience severe pain, a change in your vision, any sign of pus or if you notice intense redness in your eyes.
- Immunocompromised patients, such as those on cancer treatment or biological agents and those living with HIV and diabetes, should seek advice from their treating doctor as early as possible.
- If you are diagnosed with pink eye, wash your hands often and do your best to prevent infecting those around you at home.
- Babies and young children must see a doctor as soon as their caregiver notices symptoms of the condition.
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