Compared to 2022, the number of conjunctivitis cases has doubled in the Yucatan Peninsula. Mexico’s Institute of Social Security (IMSS) said it was developing a strategy to reduce the prevalence of the disease.
Likewise, the country registered a new case of hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, a woman from the state of Yucatan.
IMSS Yucatan ophthalmologist Luis Jacobo Reséndiz Nájera stressed the importance of prevention and taking basic hygiene measures to calculate the chains of transmission of this disease.
So far this year, 570,033 confirmed cases of this annoying disease have been registered across the country, an increase of 64.25% compared to the 347,057 infected people in the same period in 2022.
The highest incidence rate is Mexico City, with 54,915 infections, accounting for 9.64%; followed by Mexico State, with 50,623 infections, accounting for 8.88%; Veracruz, with 35,497 positive cases, accounting for 6.23%.
In addition, there are Colima state, with 4,095 confirmed cases, accounting for 0.72%; followed by Campeche state, with 5,300 confirmed cases, accounting for 0.93%; Baja California Sur, with 6,106 confirmed cases, accounting for 1.07%.
Yucatán ranks 12th with the lowest infection rate, with 12,538 infections, an increase of 29.95% compared to the total in 2022, which was 9,648 infections and an incidence rate of 2.2%, so in 2020 the highest number to date.
The first outbreak of conjunctivitis occurred in 2015 and lasted four years, with the problem brought under control through measures to break the chain of Covid-19 transmission.
However, a second outbreak emerged in the first weeks of the year and continued to grow as people stopped practicing basic hygiene measures.
According to experts, conjunctivitis is inflammation of the outer layer of the eye, called the conjunctiva, which is the layer that provides protection and lubrication to the eye.
He said that inflammation in this layer is caused by a variety of factors. It may be irritation from substances in contact with the eyes, or it may be due to the presence of some kind of infection. The most common one is a virus, followed by a virus. The place is the bacteria.
He commented that it could also be caused by allergies, especially during certain seasons of the year, in people who are susceptible to environmental factors such as dust and pollen.
You may even be exposed to certain medications; some, especially drops, may cause some irritation to the surface of the eye.
He explained that the symptoms of conjunctivitis are irritation of the eye surface, which then manifests as a foreign body sensation. People feel as if they have brought in sand, which can cause itching, burning, and stinging sensations. Watery eyes and sometimes blurred vision.
Therefore, he believes it is very important to wash your hands frequently and not to scratch your eyes with dirty hands to prevent allergies, as it is necessary to receive appropriate treatment from a specialist.
He recommends using cold compresses regularly, as well as changing the sheets in the house and vacuuming and sweeping the floors frequently to prevent us from accumulating dust in the house, which often causes allergies.
He points out the importance of being careful about the substances we put near our eyes in case we use drops that we find cause eye pain or irritation, as it is necessary to speak to a specialist to determine if a change in medication is necessary.
He emphasized that it is always important to see a specialist immediately if any symptoms appear, so “it is not good to leave things alone because many times complications may arise and the treatment is more complicated, so adequate measures must be taken” “. Take care of your health. “Visual inspection and prompt medical treatment.”
He said the services provided by IMSS fall under the domain of family medicine and if you have ongoing problems you can go there for consultation; if needed; they are referred to ophthalmology services.
