Nicaragua: Conjunctivitis outbreak

Event

The Nicaraguan government is on alert due to an ongoing conjunctivitis outbreak that has intensified in recent days. More than 11,300 cases of the disease - also known as “pink eye” - were reported nationwide between the beginning of the year and August 24, including 1613 in the previous week alone. The disease is present in 52 municipalities, including the capital Managua and the cities of Chinandega and Rivas.

Conjunctivitis is an eye infection where the thin membrane that covers the white of the eye and the interior of the eye lids - the conjunctiva - becomes inflamed. Symptoms include watery eyes, discharge, discomfort, sensitively to light, subconjunctival hemorrhaging, and itchiness. Conjunctivitis is highly contagious and can be caused by bacterial or viral infections; only the bacterial version is treatable.

Context

Numerous other Latin American and Caribbean countries have also been reporting outbreaks of the disease since late 2016

Advice

Individuals in Nicaragua are advised to minimize contact with others (e.g. avoid handshakes) and to wash hands frequently.