Health authorities in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province have issued a warning about an outbreak of conjunctivitis, urging people suspected of infection to seek treatment.
Since last week, at least 161 people have been confirmed to have been infected in various parts of the province’s eThekwini district, according to provincial health officer Nomagugu Simelane.
Mr Simelane appealed to the public to practice good personal hygiene to avoid eye infections and stop their spread.
Pink eye is an infection that causes inflammation of the tissue that lines the eyelids and eyeball, also called the conjunctiva.
Most commonly caused by a highly contagious viral infection (also called viral conjunctivitis).It can also be caused by a bacterial infection or allergic reaction.
Symptoms include pink or red colouring of the whites of the eyes, swelling of the conjunctiva, and increased tear production.