By Beatrice Bangula                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Blantyre, April 1, Mana: Statistics from Ministry of Health indicate that viral conjunctivitis, also known as Pink eye disease, has hit more than 12,000 people in the country.

Ministry of Health spokesperson Adrian Chikumbe told Malawi News Agency that so far the disease has reached nearly all the districts in Malawi, adding that Karonga still tops the list with Lilongwe coming second.

Chikumbe added that Ministry of Health was trying all it can to contain the disease whose signs and symptoms include redness of the eyes, itching, watery eyes and pain in the eyes, among others.

“The disease is self-limiting that it goes on its own without requiring antibiotics within seven to ten days.  However, the ministry encourages people to immediately seek medical attention to treat symptoms and reduce suffering; antibiotic may be given to treat secondary infections,” he added.

Chikumbe added that Ministry of Health was conducting sensitization sessions with various groups to increase public awareness on how the disease is spread and how it can be prevented.

He added that health facilities across the country also provide treatment to cases and further promote hygiene and sanitation ways of preventing further transmission of the disease, saying hygiene is key in preventing about 52% of communicable diseases that include pink eye.

Meanwhile, Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) Executive Director George Jobe has called for more sensitization activities on the dangers of pink eye, adding that the disease has no medication and that it cures on its own after some time.

“Pink eye is highly contagious and affects human activities which include productivity. People cannot go to work, learners cannot go to school and healthcare workers cannot provide healthcare services when they themselves have pink eye disease,” Jobe said.

Pink eye disease was first reported in Karonga District in February this year before spreading further to other districts in central region and later to southern region.