Alarm as conjunctivitis outbreak hits Ugandan schools

Authorities in Uganda's capital, Kampala, say the city is experiencing an outbreak of conjunctivitis, a highly contagious eye infection.

The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) says conjunctivitis cases have also been reported in schools in the city.

It has asked schools to take preventative measures such as screening visitors, asking learners to stop rubbing their eyes and urging them to frequently wash their hands with soap.

Conjunctivitis often causes the eyes to become red or pink.

Other common symptoms include watery eyes, blurred vision, discomfort, itching, pain and swelling of the conjunctiva (eye lining).

Uganda is the latest African country to record cases of the disease this year.

An outbreak of viral conjunctivitis was reported in Tanzania in mid-January, and over 5,000 cases have been recorded across more than 17 regions.

Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Comoros, Madagascar and Mayotte have also recorded cases, while Rwanda issued an alert last month.

With good hygiene and avoiding contact with infected people, the infection tends to heal on its own.