Doctors want all South Floridians to follow these precautions to prevent a particularly nasty eye infection from reaching the epidemic levels now afflicting Cuba.
The only known local case -- in a man returning to Sweden from Cuba whose plane touched down briefly at Miami International Airport because of mechanical problems -- was discovered by doctors at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of the University of Miami last week. So far, no other cases have been reported.
But because the disease, acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, is so contagious, doctors don't want to take any chances. The last time Bascom Palmer had a case, in 1981, it was followed by an epidemic of about 2,500 cases that shut down a local high school and several offices for a several weeks, said Dr. Eduardo Alfonso, associate professor of ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer.
The infection reached epidemic proportions in Cuba this summer where one Havana hospital reported treating 12,000 cases in six weeks, Alfonso said. Frequent travel between South Florida and the island enhances chances that the disease will take hold locally, he said.
``We're concerned that because of our close proximity to Cuba that if we don't follow strict precautions this could be a problem,'' Alfonso said.
Since announcing its concern last week, the hospital has received numerous calls from worried people. There is no way to know if some of them have undiagnosed cases, Alfonso said.
Christina Tavarez, a Herald classified ads employee, believes she is one of those cases. She had blurry vision, blood in her tears and pain so bad she could keep her eyes open for only a few minutes to run for another compress. Those symptoms drove her to the emergency room Saturday.
``I wouldn't want anyone else to have this,'' she said. ``It's the worst thing I ever had. . . . All I could do was lie there.''
Unlike the ``pink eye'' that is the bane of grade schools, this acute form is caused by one of two unusual viruses the immune system isn't used to fending off. The attack is more severe and contagious. The whites of the eye turn tomato red and the eyes can burn, swell and tear. Vision can be temporarily impaired.
There is no treatment for the disease other than cold compresses to ease the discomfort. Most of the time symptoms disappear on their own after about two weeks. On rare occasions, the virus can cause partial paralysis, so anyone with weakness in the legs or arms should see a doctor.
Alfonso is urging those with symptoms to stay home for up to two weeks to prevent contaminating others. He is urging all South Floridians to wash their hands frequently and to avoid rubbing their eyes. Those who believe they have come in contact with someone who has the infection should disinfect all areas the person might have infected.
Bascom Palmer has set up a separate treatment area for those with the disease. Patients with symptoms can call a special hotline, (305) 326-6170.
Copyright © 1997 The Miami Herald