Honduras: Major conjunctivitis outbreak /update 2

Event

The Honduran Ministry of Health is on alert amid an ongoing viral conjunctivitis (pink eye) outbreak. Case rates are currently rising in at least six of the country’s 18 departments and there are fears of the outbreak spreading nationwide during the "Semana Morazánica" holiday period, this year taking place October 1-8, during which time 2.2 million Hondurans are expected to travel.

Since the beginning of the year, more than 30,100 conjunctivitis cases have been reported. The departments most heavily affected by the outbreak are Islas de la Bahía, Atlántida, Comayagua, Cortés, and Morazán, including the cities of Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula.

Context

Conjunctivitis is an eye infection in which 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, sensitivity 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.

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

Advice

Individuals in Honduras are advised to minimize direct contact with others (e.g. avoid handshakes), wash hands frequently, and avoid touching their eyes.