Over 1,000 people in the area of Garabito, Puntarenas have been affected by a conjunctivitis outbreak, this includes the areas of Herradura, Jacó, Tárcoles, Quebrada Ganado and Quebrada Amarilla, according to information provided by the Costa Rica Public Health and Social Security Administration (C.C.S.S).
Authorities suspect the outbreak is caused by a virus, but the C.C.S.S. is still waiting on the results of the analysis sent to the Health and Research Institute of Costa Rica.
Conjunctivitis is an eye condition caused by the inflammation or swelling of the conjunctiva, a thin transparent layer of tissue that lines the inner surface of the eyelid and covers the white area of the eye. Symptoms include redness, itchiness, watering of the eyes and a sticky coating on the eyelashes; its cause can be viral or bacterial.
The Garabito Health Area has received up to 104 patients with conjunctivitis in a just one day. The condition is affecting children and teenagers mostly.
The C.C.S.S. has already coordinated efforts with the local Municipality and the Health Ministry as well as the Ministry of Education and local commerce to educate and prevent the illness.
The fact that children are starting their mid-term vacation period should help bring down the number of cases; however the vacation time also attracts more tourists to the area which now become the population at risk.
The incubation of the virus takes anywhere from 24 to 72 hours. It is quite contagious and it can be transmitted by direct contact with an infected individual’s secretions, usually hand-eye contact or sharing of personal objects (towels, makeup, etc.).
Preventive measures include:
- Not touching your eyes with unwashed hands
- Wash your hands often and thoroughly
- Use a clean towel daily and don’t share it
- Change your pillowcases with regularity
- Do not share eye cosmetics such as mascara or eye shadows
- Do not use swimming pools
If you become infected with conjunctivitis visit your doctor and if you were contact lenses stop wearing them until your eye doctor says it’s ok to start wearing them again. Replace any eye makeup used while you were infected.