The Ministry of Health and Environment wishes to notify the public of an outbreak of Viral Conjunctivitis called -Red Eye in the Health Districts of Marigot, Portsmouth and Roseau.
The ministry is also reporting an increase in chickenpox but said it is not an outbreak at this point.
To date, the Red Eye cases are only being reported from the Marigot, Portsmouth and Roseau Health Districts.
Presently there are no reported cases of Red Eye in the Health Districts of St. Joseph, La Plaine, Castle Bruce and Grand Bay.
In response, the Ministry of Health and Environment is advising the public to be vigilant to prevent further spread of the disease. All health facilities have been alerted, and active surveillance has been initiated. Field investigation, as well as community-level education, have been ongoing. Educational materials to inform the public on prevention and management of Red Eye have been distributed in the affected areas.
Red Eye is an infection of the covering of the surface of the eye and eyelids. This infection is very contagious but it can be effectively treated at home.
Red Eye is spread easily from person to person. The germs are passed on to others through hand-to-hand contact when hands are not washed after contact with discharge from an infected eye.
Symptoms include:
• Redness or swelling of the white of the eye or inside the eyelid
• Watering eye/ excess tears
• Sandy feeling or pain in the eye
• Increase sensitivity to light
• Blurred vision
• Itching, irritated, and or burning eyes
• Pus or discharge from the eyelids which result in eyelids being stuck together
Hand washing is essential as the infection is mainly spread through hand to hand contact when hands are not washed after contact with discharge from an infected eye.
Avoid
• Crowded areas like church ,school ,and shows
• Sharing towels
• Using other people’s sunglasses and eye make-up
• Babies and older persons ,since they are more vulnerable
Meanwhile, the Ministry wishes to report that cases of Chickenpox are on the increase .
However, at this stage, it is not considered to be an outbreak. Over the past few weeks, a cluster of cases was seen in the Grand Bay and Roseau Health Districts .
The Ministry has increased surveillance and active search for cases of chicken pox in communities around the island
Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral disease that is spread by direct contact or breathing in germs from someone’s cough or sneeze or by sharing food or drinks. You can also get it if you touch the fluid from a chickenpox blister. Two weeks after exposure, chicken pox spots appear on the body.
The Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms will occur 10-21 days after exposure to chicken pox. These include:
• Low grade fever
• Runny nose and slight cough
• Poor appetite
• Headache
• Tired, rundown feeling.
These symptoms usually occur 1-2 days before the spots appear on the body.
Chickenpox can be treated by using baking soda bath and applying Calamine lotion as needed, to the skin and Paracetamol or Tylenol for fever above 100 degrees. Do not use Aspirin.
We had a previous RED eye epidemic in the caribbean during the mid 70′ or early 80′ later, the CIA acknowledged that they spayed chemicals from the air in the hope of destroying the sugar and tobacco crops of Cuba, this is well documented, a vast % of caribbean people was affected, an effected remedy is to wash the eyes with young coconut water or the morning dew from the dasheen or tania leaves, thats plentiful in DA. Contaminated cadavers we use as meat will encourage of these maladies, the high level of SODA in use at the moment in DA ,will destroy the immune system, making it vulnerable to emerging Diseases. Eat what you plant , plant what you eat, stay away from foreign goods and services as much as possible, the land is blessed but the people seems to be living a fettered life, so things like that will continue to be manifested.Hotep.
Sahara dust was very prevalent during May. This is what caused eye irritation. Dirty hands rubbing sore eyes created infection. Perhaps the greatest concern should be the extremely unsanitary nature of our streets, where children pass on their way to school, thanks to a terrible garbage collection service. What is the point of Dominica pretending to be on the up-and-up when we can’t even get the basics right ? Garbage collection, better education, better health and social care. All of these things are way more important than a damn bridge, than a State Palace, than all of the trivial vote-winning nonsense we waste other peoples’ money on. Wake up !!!
This eye illness is weird. Where did it originate from? How did it reach Dominica? How did they catch it?
But what wrong with Dominicans nah. Boy, look at some ignorant and foolish people. Why put the blame on Skerrit though?? Why every negative thing that happening in the country is Skerrit that getting the blame? A little rain fall and rivers bursting their banks IS SKERRIT that is the cause. The crime rate increasing, IS SKERRIT’s fault. The Pm has nothing to do with the red eyes and chicken pox outbreak. And why people keep complaining about the gabbage truck?? At least be grateful nah. Is all you nasty people who do not know how to dispose of all you gabage properly. The pm have nothing to do with that. And one last thing. The people that keep saying “skerrit must go!” All you cannot do nothing about that. Is God almighty that place the Pm there. When God ready he will take him out so relax all you self. End of story.
As a man thinks ,so is he/she . it takes a very base individual knowing that the rubbish is not being picked up ,continue to stack the same on the highways and byways, that type of mental ineptness being exhibited is very ashamedly. That being said,the island is heading for an implosion, if Dominicans do not check themselves. A lot is wrong in the country, but a vast number of Dominicans are contributing to those wrongs, you see the island is at war within itself. All the blame it seems , is directed at one particular individual, not realizing certain thing are left for us to do as the citizenry, e.g keeping our environment clean, apparently Dominicans are begging for an epidemic, it is very possible, if dominicans refuse to wake up and get rid of their petty pride or “Va-Ri”.Car owners on the island, should be able to take their personal trash to the dumps, there by eliminating the present pile up, is that to much to ask for? when ones mind is clouded, its very hard to see.Bob…
Chickenpox is a highly contagious like the plaque of corruption since 2005 after the land transfer with no treatment showing many signs& symptoms like a viral disease that is spread by direct contact or breathing in philosopy of no law no constitution can stop from someone’s cough or sneeze or by sharing food or drinks. You can also get it if you touch the fluid from a chickenpox blister. Two weeks after exposure, chicken pox spots appear on the body.
Curruption Symtopms last for over 14 yrs leading to unemployment, red clinic migration to other Caribbean ilses or/diaspoa is a highly politicallcontagious viral disease that attract fellow creole speaking people chineses, Al Fareds, criminals etc Prognosis is poor country can become like … a Banana republic qickly as it already grow bananas.
It’s disheartening how we as Dominicans with our own mouths speak curses over our nation. The bible tells us that life and death is in the power of the tongue… We have the power to speak things into being. When they come to pass we blame it on the government.
For those of you who consistently speak that things are going to get worse. Well guess what, you will live to see worse things happen, especially in your life and the lives of those around you who you pronounce curses on also.
Dominica is blessed!
Dominica is favoured!
Dominica shall be prosperous!
No Evil shall befall Dominica!
Righteousness shall prevail in Dominica!
Peace of God shall prevail over Dominica!
Holiness shall prevail in Dominica!
I declare and decree it in the mighty name of Jesus!
Amen!!!
God told Pharaoh to let his people go. But Pharaoh was disobedant therefore he suffered. Dominica God has not forgotten you.
Solid Waste has their work to do, stop putting blame on d PM
Lots more to come,and its not going to get better anytime soon,hope some of the elites gets it.
We may soon have more diseases on island because of the vast accumulation of garbage everywhere..Why cant some of the CBI money be used to buy a garbage truck instead of BUYING VOTES?When will this madness end?
We need more BOOTS ON THE GROUND MAN!! I am available at very short notice..I am always willing to fight against EVIL leadership!
SKERRIT MUST GO!
SKERRIT MUST GO!!
SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!
Jackass
as a good citizen why don”t you along with your favorite political party just sponsor just sponsor a truck? Dont wait on skeritt to do it..
Curse fall on Dominica
You have a high chance of dying here nowadays
The Ministry of Health is abdicating its responsibility as it concerns RUBBISH, RUBBISH all over the Island Impress Gov’t, to provide the funds to implement proper waste management, so that D/ca does not face serious health problems. There are about 32 diseases associated with improper waste disposal. The advocacy and pressure on Gov’t must also come from those in the Ministry of Health, Health workers. the citizens are bawling, crying to the authorities, yet nobody seem to be listening. There has been NO ACTION to solve that health epidemic. DSWMC is broke and not receiving the help needed.
Where are the Ministry of Health and Environment, Gov’t, DSWMC expressions of concern?
The major risks associated with poor management of solid waste:
–spread of diseases
–biodegradable, organic materials attract rats, flies, mosquitoes,cockroaches, pigs, birds,fowls and other vectors.
–also affects productivity through illnesses.
–overall environmental…
This will stop as soon as Skerro start piking up the rubbish from the side of the road and through out the Island , this just the beginning.
Spread all you. Rubbish all over the place and blame Skerrit haste
So you taking your rubbish and throw it on the roadside for Skerrit to pick up? Your name tells who you are. Damn RAM GOAT!
Stop blaming Skerrit for your nastiness. clean up your Area stop waiting on government to do for you LAZY
I am not the biggest fan of the Prime Minister but if it rain tomorrow is that Skerrit fault, if the sky turn green is that Skerrit fault, if the world end tomorrow is that also his fault… there are some things Skerrit’s administration is to blame but explain to me since you know so much how is this Skerrit fault. Did he personally infect innocent people with these virus did he get someone else to do it…..please give clarification
Amen! Well said.
Waw!! Really?
Wow. Young man or young woman whoever the hell you are. I find that you are very disrespectful and out of order to say that the Prime Minister has to come and pick up YOUR waste that you failed to dispose of properly. Is this what our once peaceful country has come to?? People neglecting their jobs and responsibilities and waiting on the pm or government to do their job for them?
Lazy bastards.
“This” will stop not as soon as “Skerro start piking up the rubbish from the side of the road and through out the island” but as soon as we Dominicans start getting our damn acts together and stop blaming the government for neglecting to do our rightful jobs.
Why can’t we just work together as one ???????
Yes because the pm told you to spread your garbage all over the place ……dawg u srs ???