With the advent of the hot summer, the incidence rate of epidemic conjunctivitis (also known as “pink eye disease”) is on the rise.
“Pink eye disease”, or acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC), is a kind of contagious eye disease caused by viruses. The main symptoms are sudden, acute and simultaneous outbreak in both eyes with strong stimulation, which is often accompanied by evident subconjunctival hemorrhage. The disease is mainly spread through contact and the most common form of transmission is “eyes — hands — eyes”.
As of June 15, a total of 151 cases of epidemic conjunctivitis are reported in Beijing, 33.48% lower than the same period last year. However, due to its highly infectious nature and the risk of mass outbreak, if dealt with improperly, the infected can spread the disease to those around like family members, fellow classmates and colleagues, etc. With the upcoming summer holiday and the increasing of people going swimming, the prevention of epidemic conjunctivitis is becoming an urgent task that cannot be ignored.
The virus causing conjunctivitis grow, reproduce and spread quickly in places with high temperature and great humidity, hence summer and autumn are seasons with high incidence rate of conjunctivitis. Some 278 cases of conjunctivitis were reported between June and September last year, accounting for 48.69% of the year’s total. This year, more prevention measures need to be taken to combat the disease as the Beijing Olympic Games will be held in the hot and rainy season, when people’s immunity will decrease as a result of around-the-clock participation in a variety of large activities.
To effectively prevent the epidemic, we should have good sanitary habits: wash hands with soap or handing-washing solution before meals, after defecation and upon returning home. We also need to wash hands after touching public facilities such as handrails on buses and public bodybuilding facilities. Bear in mind not to rub eyes with hands. Meanwhile, we need to properly arrange our daily life to ensure adequate sleep and pay particular attention to the health of eyes.
According to the Beijing Municipal Health Bureau, all items for public use in places with high concentration of people such as hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and shopping malls, airports, hospitals, swimming pools, etc. should conform to relative national sterilization standards. Patients with epidemic conjunctivitis are strictly forbidden from swimming pools and bath centers. Patients detected with conjunctivitis should be segregated immediately and treated properly, and such incidence should be reported to the health authority with no delay.