MOH confirms two cases of eye infections from rugby tourney

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The Ministry of Health (MOH) yesterday confirmed two cases of serious eye infection among players who took part in a rugby tournament here held last month at Turf City, with the number of affected cases reported by the clubs involved hitting as many as 150 in five countries.

Some of the matches were held after heavy rain fell and it is believed the rugby pitch may have become contaminated.

In a press release yesterday, the MOH said its investigations have so far confirmed the cases of keratoconjunctivitis - which is caused by microsporidia, a spore-forming unicellular parasite found in the soil - in a 10-year-old boy who resides in Singapore and a 12-year-old boy who resides in Malaysia. Both boys had played in the tournament.

The tournament was organised by the Tanglin Rugby Club from April 20 to 22. Last Friday, the MOH was informed by Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection that a group of students who came here to play in the tournament had developed symptoms of keratoconjunctivitis after returning to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong newspaper The Standard reported yesterday that 23 of the players from Hong Kong-based Discovery Bay Pirates Rugby Football Club were still being treated.

The tournament involved around 1,600 players from 16 rugby clubs. According to the MOH, as at yesterday, there were between 80 and 90 affected cases reported by clubs here, 33 in Hong Kong, 14 in Malaysia and 13 in Australia.

The players affected are aged between five and 17 years, it added.

The MOH said it would like to advise the public to avoid using Turf City pitches for rugby when it is rainy or muddy.

"Members of the public who engage in sports that involve contact with soil or mud should maintain good personal hygiene. People are advised to wash their faces if they come into contact with mud, and use different towels for the face and body after engaging in such sports," the MOH added.