The Ministry of Public Health has warned members of the public to take precautions against pink eye disease or conjunctivitis which is usually widespread during the rainy season.
Public Health Minister Piyasakon Sakonsatayathorn said that several diseases, especially pink eye, can easily spread out and the rainy season is ideal for the spread of the disease.
According to the Diseases Control Department, over 47,000 people were inflected with pink eye during the first five months of this year with the highest incidence being reported in Amnart Charoen, Ubon Ratchathani, Mae Hong Son, Saraburi and Si Sa Ket. More cases are expected during the rainy season.
The minister said that all health offices had been instructed to advise people in their areas of jurisdiction to protect themselves against the pink eye disease especially in schools, child centres, shopping malls or offices.
Children should be warned not to frolic or swim in ponds or water catchment areas because the water is dirty or contaminated and they may be infected with pick eye virus or bacteria.
People who are infected should not wear contact lens and should not share towels, glasses or eye drops with the other people to prevent the disease from spreading. They should quickly wash their eyes with clean water when their eyes are exposed to dirty water.
