Acute viral Kerato-conjunctivitis: an epidemic in July-August 2007

ABSTRACT

To clinically analyze an outbreak of acute conjunctivitis which occurred at a Military Training School in Zarga and to characterize the etiology of the disease on the clinical basis at Prince Hashem Military Hospital [PHMH] in July-August 2007. A total of 59 trainees were interviewed and referred to the ophthalmologic clinic at Prince Hashem Military Hospital [PHMH] during the epidemic of the disease July-August 2007. All cases are males with age range from 18-24 years [mean age 21 years], maximum number of cases seen at two days of onset of symptoms. All 59 had red eye, 89.8% had pain, 86.3%had foreign body sensation and 87.5% had discharge. Bilateral involvement was seen in 73.5% and unilateral involvement in 26.5%, 43% of the total cases had corneal involvement and 20% of the cases had associated fever and periauricular lymphadenopathy. The epidemic of Kerato-conjunctivitis observed at the time of study was viral in origin based on clinical analysis and literature review. Adequate personal hygiene, hand cleanliness and avoiding overcrowding in barracks can minimize the epidemic spread