Conjunctivitis, an eye disease, outbreak has hitMambwe District in Eastern Province.

Mambwe District Surveillance Officer, Moses Sakala, confirms that the district has so far recorded 1149 cumulative cases of conjunctivitis as of yesterday. 

Mr Sakala says the first case was recorded at Mfuwe Day Secondary School on the 6th of March, 2024 involving a 16-year-old pupil who presented with symptoms such as swollen eyelids, whitish discharge and reddish eyes.

ZANIS reports that Mr Sakala said this during an emergency district ad hoc epidemic preparedness, prevention, control and management meeting. 

The following day, 72 more pupils were found to be infected.

” The infection had spread to many parts of the district as many pupils were sent back home by the school authorities.

” Nine health staff from four facilities were also infected, ” he said. 

Mr Sakala said tests were carried out and the samples were sent to Chipata to identify the causative organism.

He further explained that the causative organism could either be bacterial or viral and as such, samples were sent to Lusaka to screen for the viral organism while samples to screen for the bacterial causative organism were sent to Chipata.

Mr Sakala added that the District Office together with the health facilities had enhanced isolation of sick pupils.

The District Surveillance Office was also conducting water sampling using H2S field kits.

Residents in the area are hereby advised to seek treatment to the nearest health facility in good time because early prognosis had proven to be more helpful in providing the needed medical care.