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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Hong Kong : Outbreak of red-eye syndrome at RCHE under CHP investigation

Press release from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (October 21) investigating an outbreak of acute infectious conjunctivitis (ACJ), commonly known as red-eye syndrome, at a residential care home for the elderly (RCHE) in Tsuen Wan and hence appealed to members of the public to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against ACJ.

The outbreak involves 35 female residents aged 68 to 100 and a female member of staff of the RCHE. All of the affected persons have presented with red and itchy eyes with discharge since September 10 and subsequently sought medical consultation. None of them required hospitalisation and they are all currently in stable condition.

 Officers of the CHP have conducted a site visit and provided health advice to the staff.

"ACJ is a contagious condition mostly caused by bacteria and viruses. The symptoms are irritation, tearing, pain and redness of the eyes. In most cases, full recovery can be expected within one to two weeks with proper treatment," a spokesman for the CHP explained.

Transmission usually occurs through direct contact with discharges from the eyes or upper respiratory tracts of infected people, or indirectly through contaminated fingers, clothing and other articles."

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