Surto de conjutivite
Maputo, 15 Apr (AIM) – 14,740 people in Maputo city have been diagnosed with hemorrhagic conjunctivitis since the first case was reported on 21 February.
According to the Maputo municipal councillor for health and quality of life, Alice de Abreu, interviewed by AIM, the number of cases increased as a result of the passage of severe tropical storm “Filipo” and the torrential rains that hit Maputo in late March and early April, worsening sanitation conditions.
“We notified the first case of viral hemorrhagic conjunctivitis on 21 February and so far we have registered a cumulative total of 14,740 cases in 35 health units in our city. Of these, 10,479 have already recovered and 3,689 patients are still being followed up. We haven’t had to hospitalize any of them and so far we haven’t registered any cases of complications that have led to blindness”, she said.
De Abreu explained that of the 14,740 cases, 55 per cent are women and 45 per cent men.
The disease has spread across all seven municipal districts. “The municipal district of Ka Mubukwana has 5,032 cases, followed by Ka Nlhamankulu with 4,295 cases, Ka Mpfumo 2,0611, Ka Mavota 1,467, Ka Maxaqueni 925, Ka Tembe with 342 and KaNyaka 59 cases”, De Abreu said.
She added that the health authorities have also been monitoring conjunctivitis cases at the accommodation centers, where the victims of floods are being sheltered.
Abreu said that the cases detected are being treated and followed up, considering that hospitals are equipped to treat conjunctivitis, but have been recommending preventive measures in the face of the outbreak.
“What we need to do is ensure that the eye is cleaned with water several times to remove the secretion, because it will reduce the irritation and, in four to seven days, the person will recover and return to work”, she said.
(AIM)
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