Data collected by the Epidemiology and Research Unit of the Western Regional Health Authority show that while there were 53 reported cases between September 6 and October 11, last year, for the six-week September 8 to October 13, this year there were 439 cases.

 A parish by parish breakdown shows Westmoreland having the highest number of reported cases, followed by St. James.

For the reporting period, last year Westmoreland had 4 cases compared to
187 this year. St. James reported 22 cases last year and 135 this year with the doubling each week for the last four weeks.

Trelawny recorded 63 cases during the 2008 recording period against 20 last year while Hanover had 54 cases and 7 cases respectively.

Acting Regional Technical Director of the Western Regional Health Authority, Dr. Maung Aung said the number of cases of conjunctivitis is unusual at this time.

He is urging all Jamaicans to be vigilant and follow all necessary instructions issued by the Ministry of Health to avoid infection.

The last reported outbreak of pink eye in Jamaica was in 2003.

Acute conjunctivitis is very contagious but self-limited. Spread of the virus occurs through direct or indirect contact with the discharge from infected eyes and possibly by drops from the throat of infected persons. Incubation period ranges from 12 hours to 3 days and symptoms usually last up to 7 days but may extend to even 14 days.