6 Schools Send Learners Home Over Red-Eye Disease Outbreak

6 Schools Send Learners Home Over Red-Eye Disease Outbreak

6 Schools Send Learners Home Over Red-Eye Disease Outbreak

A red-eye disease outbreak that impacted students at six schools in Busia County resulted in the students’ dismissal.

The afflicted pupils were placed in quarantine, as Secretary General Moffat Okisai of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) stated in a statement to the media on Thursday.

Thus, in order to guarantee that medical personnel could treat children as soon as possible, teachers urged the government to provide red-eye medications to school pharmacies.

Schools including Mundika Boys High School, Malaba Primary School, and Amagoro Girls High School were among those impacted by the virus.

Numerous educational institutions have been impacted. The impacted schools are Amagoro Girls, Malaba Primary, Mundika Boys, Moding, and Nambale Boys, according to Okisai.

All we need to do is take precautionary steps. The affected pupils will rejoin the learning activity in about two days after being isolated and placed under quarantine from the other students.”

At the end of 2023, Mombasa County saw the first cases of red-eye, also known as conjunctivitis, which was characterized by pink or reddish eyes.

Experts say that inflammation of the translucent membrane inside the eyeball is what causes red eye.

Infections from bacteria or viruses may be the cause of the disorders. Those who are experiencing an allergic reaction may also display these symptoms.

Additionally, the conjunctiva may enlarge in the victims, and their eyes may tear more frequently.

Additional signs and symptoms include crusting of the lashes or eyelids, itching, and pus or mucus discharge.

Because the condition cannot be cured at home, medical professionals in Busia encouraged the parents of the affected students to seek professional assistance.

The sickness can be transmitted by touching the eyes of an infected person or sharing personal items, according to information released by government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura in February.

“Touching contaminated surfaces or the eyes of infected individuals might transfer the disease to you. It has been determined that this illness, which is marked by red, watery eyes, is a type of conjunctivitis, which is extremely contagious but typically not serious,” Mwaura said.

Kenyans should refrain from touching their faces, wash their hands often, sanitize surfaces, and refrain from sharing personal goods like towels.