The Jigawa State Ministry of Health has warned residents, particularly students and school personnel, against sharing personal items such as towels, handkerchiefs, cosmetics and eye drops as part of measures to contain the outbreak of acute viral conjunctivitis, popularly known as Apollo, in some communities.
The warning was contained in a directive signed by Dr Abubakar D. Said Kanya, Director, Public Health and Disease Control, Jigawa State Ministry of Health, and issued to DAILY POST.
He said the directive was coming ahead of the resumption of schools on Monday, following reports of outbreaks of the eye infection in some parts of the state.
The ministry said sharing personal items could contribute to the spread of the infection, urging students, teachers and other school personnel to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene.
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It specifically advised people to avoid sharing towels, handkerchiefs, face towels, pillows, cosmetics and other personal belongings with others.
The ministry also warned against sharing eye drops or medicines, stressing that affected persons should seek appropriate medical care rather than using medication prescribed for another person.
It urged students experiencing symptoms of conjunctivitis to immediately report to their teachers or school authorities and seek care at the nearest health facility.
Other preventive measures outlined by the ministry include frequent handwashing with soap and clean water, avoiding touching or rubbing the eyes with unwashed hands, maintaining clean surroundings and regularly cleaning commonly touched surfaces.
The ministry further advised people to avoid close contact with individuals showing signs of red or infected eyes.
As part of its response, the ministry directed LGA PHC managers, primary eye-care coordinators, disease surveillance officers and health promotion officers to intensify sensitisation and active case identification in schools and communities affected by the outbreak.
The ministry also said basic essential medicines would be made available through JiPHARMA for distribution to health facilities across the state’s 27 local government areas.
The ministry urged all relevant health authorities and school communities to treat the directive as urgent, particularly as schools prepare to reopen, with emphasis on preventing transmission, detecting cases early and ensuring prompt treatment of affected persons.
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