The red eye disease which broke out in Teso north sub county, Busia County, sometime last month, has now spread to several other sub counties within the county.

According to Busia county eye diseases coordinator Harriet Kavere, the disease has now been reported in Teso south, Nambale, Matayos and Samia. The number of those infected has also tripled.

The coordinator says the disease is caused by a virus known as adenovirus which causes the eye to turn red, swell and discharge some fluids, “Someone who is infected feels like there are small stones in the eyes and they itch every time.”

It is spread through direct contact, “When you shake hands with the person who has it you will be infected, even sleeping on the same bed the patient slept on, touching clothes they used and even using the same make up gets you infected,” explains Kavere.

She has urged those who notice the symptoms to seek medical attention immediately, “They should go to the right eye doctors and not just to any doctor because the disease has various stages and one need to be properly examined before they are treated. And an injection is not needed.”

Kavere has also called upon local leaders and government administrators including chiefs and their assistants to help educate members of the public about the disease and how to contain it, “We need to create a lot of awareness about the disease among our people so that it doesn’t spread further.”

The outbreak comes at a time nurses in public hospitals in Busia county are going on with their strike which started mid-April to compel the county government to meet a number of their grievances including promotions and payment of arrears this crippling health services in all public hospitals in the county.