The conjunctivitis epidemic that is raging in Réunion continues to grow. Microbiological research has identified the germ involved in this epidemic: an enterovirus.
The unprecedented epidemic of conjunctivitis, which has affected Reunion Island since the end of January, continues to progress. For the fourth consecutive week, the various health indicators monitored by the WAX Indian Ocean show, in fact, an increase in the number of consultations in liberal medicine. All the municipalities are affected by this epidemic.
Nearly 9% of Reunionese affected
The percentage of consultations for conjunctivitis thus continued to increase from March 9 to 15, 2015 (week 11) to reach nearly 17% of the total activity of sentinel physicians.
The estimated number of conjunctivitis seen in consultation with private general practitioners in Réunion now represents 23,000 consultations (in week 11) against 20,900 the previous week.
In total since the start of the epidemic, nearly 73,000 consultations for conjunctivitis have been estimated, or 8.7% of the population of Reunion. “This number does not take into account people who have not consulted,” says the ARS Indian Ocean.
An epidemic caused by an enterovirus
In addition, twelve samples were taken by a few sentinel doctors in order to find out the causes of this epidemic. And the results of microbiological research, carried out by the CHU-Nord laboratory, showed that all the samples were positive for enterovirus, thus confirming that the current epidemic in Réunion is due to viral and non-bacterial conjunctivitis.
The recommendations of the ARS Indian Ocean
In this context, the local regional health agency has issued recommendations to try to contain the epidemic. Thus, to prevent infectious conjunctivitis, general hygiene must be applied. On the one hand, you should wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and on the other hand, avoid rubbing your eyes.
Also, for cleaning the eyes, use clean water or a disposable tissue, not saliva or tissue.
Finally, avoid touching a person with conjunctivitis, especially on the face and hands, and do not share towels and bed linen.
(1) Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the membrane covering the anterior aspect of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. It causes redness of the eye and may be accompanied by the following symptoms: itching, clear or purulent discharge, sticky eyelids, blurred vision. It is a common disease that is harmless to vision in the absence of complications.
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