The health authority in Leer County, Unity State, reported that 800 people have been affected by an outbreak of red eye disease between April and May 2024. The disease initially spread among South Sudanese refugees in Uganda in April before reaching Juba by the end of the month.
Leer County Health Director, Nyalada Bading, told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that at least 800 patients were recorded across different primary health care units (PHCUs) in Leer, including Leer Hospital. These facilities have registered multiple cases of the disease.
The red eye disease, characterized by symptoms such as watery eyes, itching, pain, redness, sensitivity to light, generalized body pain, and fever, includes conjunctivitis, according to Nyalada.
“In the last two months, cases have been recorded across facilities in Leer. In April, we recorded 400 cases, and in May, we registered another 400. The infection spreads through person-to-person contact, particularly when people greet each other and fail to wash their hands with clean water immediately afterward,” she explained.
Leer County health officials are appealing for support from their partners to provide treatment for the red eyes disease outbreak affecting the area.
Nyalada stated that there is a shortage of medication to treat all patients and emphasized the importance of personal hygiene to prevent further spread of the disease.
Conjunctivitis, commonly known as red eyes disease, is typically transmitted through direct contact with an infected person, contaminated surfaces or objects, or respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing.
Radio Tamazuj interviewed a patient, Kiir Hon Lok, who confirmed that he contracted the disease four days ago in Leer County. Kiir described his symptoms: “When the red eyes started affecting me, it began with watery eyes, itching, pain, redness, sensitivity to light, generalized body pain, and fever. I have experienced all these symptoms over the past week.”
Kiir also highlighted the lack of treatment available at Leer Hospital: “During the four days I was affected by red eyes, I suffered greatly and still have not received treatment due to the shortage of medication. When an infected patient moves among people, the disease spreads unless they wash their hands with clean water and soap.”