As the rainy season sets in across Nigeria, health experts are urging employers and workers to strengthen hygiene practices to reduce the spread of conjunctivitis, popularly known as Apollo. The eye infection, which often surfaces during the wet season, can spread rapidly in offices, schools and other crowded environments where people share workspaces and frequently come into close contact.
Conjunctivitis, commonly referred to as pink eye, is an inflammation of the thin membrane covering the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. While the condition can result from viral or bacterial infections, it may also be triggered by allergies. Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are particularly contagious, making workplaces vulnerable to outbreaks if preventive measures are ignored.
The infection spreads through direct contact with infected eye secretions, contaminated hands and shared objects. This means that a single infected employee can unknowingly pass the infection to several colleagues within a short period, especially in offices where equipment and facilities are used collectively.
To minimise the risk of workplace transmission during the Apollo season, health professionals recommend adopting simple but effective preventive measures.
Prioritise hand hygiene
Regular handwashing with soap and clean water remains one of the most effective ways to prevent conjunctivitis. Employees are encouraged to wash their hands after using shared office equipment, before eating and after touching their faces. Where running water and soap are unavailable, alcohol-based hand sanitisers provide a practical alternative.
Avoid touching your eyes
Rubbing or touching the eyes with unwashed hands can introduce viruses and bacteria into the eyes, increasing the likelihood of infection. Anyone experiencing irritation should wash their hands first before touching their eyes or use a clean tissue when necessary.
Do not share personal items
Personal belongings such as face towels, handkerchiefs, eye drops, cosmetics and similar items should never be shared with colleagues. These objects can easily harbour infectious eye secretions and contribute to the spread of Apollo in the workplace.
Keep shared surfaces clean
Frequently used office surfaces, including desks, keyboards, computer mice, telephones, door handles and meeting room tables, should be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Routine cleaning helps reduce germs that may contribute to the spread of conjunctivitis and other infectious illnesses.
Encourage infected employees to stay home
Workers experiencing symptoms such as red eyes, excessive tearing, eye discharge or swollen eyelids should refrain from reporting to work until they have been assessed by a healthcare professional. Staying away from the workplace while contagious helps protect colleagues and significantly reduces the chances of an office-wide outbreak.
As Apollo cases typically rise during the rainy season, maintaining good personal hygiene, practising responsible workplace behaviour and seeking prompt medical attention when symptoms develop remain the most effective ways to keep offices safe and productive.