Negros oriental: Conjunctivitis, commonly known as sore eyes, continued to spread in Negros Oriental, with cases reaching 7,978 as of Friday, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) said.

According to Philippines News Agency, of the total, 4,815 cases were recorded in other municipalities and cities, while Dumaguete City alone has 3,163 cases, PHO chief Dr. Liland Estacion stated in an interview. Bayawan City in the southern part of the province accounted for the highest number of cases outside Dumaguete, with 2,003 infections.

The PHO reported 4,388 cases on Thursday, with 2,674 of the reported cases in Dumaguete City. Estacion warned that conjunctivitis is highly contagious and that an infected person can easily transmit the disease to other members of the household. She advised families to isolate infected individuals and strictly observe proper hygiene, including frequent handwashing, use of alcohol or hand sanitizers, and regular disinfection of commonly touched surfaces.

Following the suspension of classes on Friday by Governor Manuel Sagarbarria, health workers and school personnel are conducting extensive disinfection and sanitation activities in schools to help prevent further transmission among learners. Estacion mentioned that the governor is also expected to issue a supplemental order directing parents to keep children with conjunctivitis at home until their symptoms subside and they have received appropriate treatment. 'Isolation is important because the disease is highly contagious,' she emphasized.