MONTEGO BAY, St James:

There has been a significant increase in the reported cases of acute conjunctivitis (pink-eye) throughout western Jamaica, over the last six weeks, in comparison to the corresponding period last year.

Data collected by the Epide-miology and Research Unit of the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) show that, while there were 53 reported cases between September 6 and October 11, 2007, for September 8 to October 13 this year, there were 439 cases.

Most cases in westmoreland

A parish-by-parish breakdown shows Westmoreland having the highest number of reported cases, followed by St James. For the reporting period last year, Westmoreland had four cases last year compared to 187 this year; St James reported 22 cases last year and 135 this year with the figure doubling each week for the last four weeks.

Trelawny recorded 63 cases during the 2008 recording period against 20 last year, while Hanover had 54 cases and seven cases, respectively.

Acting regional technical director of the WRHA, Dr Maung Aung, said the number of cases of conjunctivitis "is unusual at this time".

Be vigilant

He urged 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. Acute conjunctivitis is very contagious but self-limited. Spread of the virus occurs through direct or indirect contact with the discharge from infected eyes and possibly by drops from the throat of infected persons. The incubation period ranges from 12 hours to three days and symptoms usually last up to seven days, but may extend to even 14 days.