Westmoreland Health Department Warns of Pink Eye Outbreak

The health department in Westmoreland, Jamaica, has detected three cases of viral conjunctivitis (pink eye) in the Negril health district. While there is no outbreak at this time, the department is urging residents to take precautions to prevent an outbreak. Measures include washing hands regularly, limiting handshakes, and wearing eye protection when exposed to wind, dust, heat or sun to avoid irritation. Pink eye is highly contagious, and the infection can be spread by touching/rubbing the eyes with dirty hands or sharing objects such as eye drops, contact lenses, towel/handkerchief and makeup.