SGGPO
Many localities in the Mekong Delta are experiencing a sharp outbreak of pink eye in children, with more than 1,000 cases recorded per day at times. Localities are currently focusing on preventing, combating and controlling the disease.
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Children examined and treated at Soc Trang Province Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital |
According to SGGP reporters, at the Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital of Soc Trang province, the number of children coming to see a doctor and get treatment for pink eye has been very high in recent days. The number of cases has increased sharply, concentrated in educational institutions.
Dr. Chung Tan Dinh, Director of the Soc Trang Province Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital, said that from September 1 to September 20, the hospital received and treated more than 220 cases of children with symptoms of red eyes, watery eyes, sticky discharge, difficulty opening eyes, fever and itchy eyes... Some severe cases had to be hospitalized for treatment. At its peak, in the 3 days from September 18 to 20, the hospital received 119 cases of pink eye.
In Ben Tre, a report from the provincial Center for Disease Control (CDC) said that from September 11 to 19, the whole province recorded 4,718 cases at 301 educational institutions, most in the districts: Ba Tri (910 cases), Chau Thanh (761 cases), Mo Cay Nam (675 cases), Mo Cay Bac (559 cases)... Notably, the provincial CDC recorded the number of cases exceeding 1,000 cases on September 19 alone.
CDC Ben Tre recommends that people proactively prevent and control pink eye by taking measures such as washing hands with soap, not rubbing eyes, nose, mouth, not sharing personal items to limit contact with sick or suspected sick people. In case of illness or suspected sick people, they should stay home from school/work to avoid infecting others and spreading to the community.
According to the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health, pink eye is an eye infection, usually caused by bacteria, viruses or allergic reactions, the typical symptom is red eyes. To date, there is no vaccine to prevent the disease, no specific treatment, and people who have had pink eye can still be infected again just a few months after recovering from the disease.
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Kindergarten teacher in Nga Nam town, Soc Trang province cleans toys for children |
Dr. Chung Tan Dinh added: "Pink eye disease is very easy to catch, spread in the community and cause epidemics. The disease is contagious but usually benign, leaving few sequelae, but greatly affects the daily life, study and play of children. There are cases where the disease lasts for a long time, causing complications that affect vision later. Therefore, parents need to equip themselves with knowledge to prevent the disease well for children."
In the face of the outbreak in the province, Deputy Director of the Ben Tre Provincial Department of Health Duong Thi Nhu Ngoc requested medical examination and treatment facilities in the area to increase early detection of suspected cases, prescribe and provide care instructions for mild cases, and provide outpatient treatment; and promptly isolate suspected cases. District and city medical centers have fully prepared medicines and chemicals, ready for activities to prevent and control pink eye to minimize the risk of widespread spread.
On September 21, Chairman of the People's Committee of Soc Trang province Tran Van Lau also signed and issued an urgent dispatch on strengthening the prevention and control of pink eye, dengue fever and hand, foot and mouth disease. Accordingly, units and localities are required to focus on directing drastic measures to prevent and control epidemics, especially pink eye, dengue fever and hand, foot and mouth disease; at the same time, they are responsible to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee if the epidemic breaks out uncontrollably.
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