Inside the Municipal Corporation | Increased cases of pink-eye in St Ann

The St Ann Health Department says there has been a marked increase in the number of conjunctivitis (pink-eye) cases in the parish. Residents, therefore, are encouraged to take the necessary steps to prevent the spread of the infection.

Addressing the monthly meeting of the St Ann Municipal Corporation in St Ann's Bay on Thursday, Leroy Scott, of the St Ann Health Department, said St Ann was being affected similarly to other parishes across Jamaica.

Scott is encouraging persons to practise measures such as washing hands regularly, limiting handshakes, avoiding touching the eyes unnecessarily, and "if you're wiping the eyes, don't use rags but use tissue and then dispose of it".

Pink-eye has a number of causes, such as viruses, bacteria, irritants or allergies. It can easily spread from person to person through contact.