THE MINISTRY of Health says it will be writing to schools ahead of the Christmas term which begins in September, to update principals on how to deal with the acute conjunctivitis (pink eye) outbreak.
This, as the virus continues to spread, weeks before school is officially due to open.
Official updates are not yet available from the ministry, but at last report in early August the outbreak of pink eye appeared to be worsening with hundreds of cases being reported. Many cases have gone unreported as persons with pink eye opt to stay home, allowing the virus to run its course rather than going to a doctor.
The outbreak was announced by the Health Ministry some five weeks ago and has affected both children and adults in several parishes throughout the island's four health regions.
The infection is very contagious and will spread rapidly in populated areas like schools, Dr. Deanna Ashley, the ministry's director of health promotion and protection, said.
PERSONAL HYGIENE
She said that persons need to ensure that they are strict in their personal hygiene regimen and avoid contact with affected individuals.
The ministry is reporting that cases of gastro-enteritis are decreasing.
"It looks as if it's going down, it's on its way down," Dr. Ashley said.
The bout of gastro-enteritis, also called "running belly", has especially affected children in Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine and St. Thomas. Symptoms of infection include fever, nausea, vomiting, and watery diarrhoea.
