Guayaquil, Ecuador: Conjunctivitis Outbreak Sending Hundreds for Treatment

The health centers report the arrival of patients with the infection in their eyes, conjunctivitis is contagious.
By Eva Acosta
Cases of ‘patada china’ increase in Guayaquil
The health centers report the arrival of patients with the infection in their eyes, conjunctivitis is contagious.
By Eva Acosta
Thursday, February 15, 2018, at 13:03
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Conjunctivitis known as ‘Patada China’ affects citizenship, mainly, neighborhoods or vulnerable areas of Guayaquil. More than 600 cases have already been reported in the Hospital del Día, south of Guayaquil.

In the Health Center of the streets 19 and I, in the southwest of the city, the number of patients who come with affectations in their eyes has increased up to 50%, confirmed Carlas Morales, administrative employee of the place.

“Since the beginning of this month, the number of patients requesting more shifts has increased, most of them come with a Chinese kick,” explains Morales.

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In this health center a day up to 10 people are attended who come with their affected eyes when the normal is between 1 and 3.

In the medical unit of sector Swan 2, cases are also reported.

María Betty Mina commented that after the Carnival she started with a lot of discomfort in her eyes and that today she has confirmed that she has conjunctivitis, the condition lasts between 8 and 12 days.

In the north of Guayaquil there are also cases. The Infectology Hospital José Daniel Rodríguez also reports the arrival of people with conjunctivitis.

Dr. Jorge Ross explains that conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, that thin, transparent tissue that covers the inside of the eyelid and the white part of the eye.

During the winter season the cases of this infection increase due to humidity and heat, explains the doctor.

What are the symptoms?

Red eye with discomfort such as burning and stinging.
Increase in secretions.
Increase of the legañas, especially when waking up.
Increase in the frequency of tearing.
Sensitivity to light.
Occasionally, swelling of the eyelids may occur.
Sometimes, there is also the sensation of having a foreign body in the eye.

Is conjunctivitis contagious?

Yes. Bacterial conjunctivitis, but especially viral conjunctivitis, can spread very easily, because viral particles are able to survive for weeks on dry surfaces such as sheets, pillows, towels or bathroom utensils. Read Article