Manila, Aug. 6 -- The Provincial Health Office (PHO) has recorded 4,388 cases of conjunctivitis, or sore eyes, in Negros Oriental, with health authorities warning that infections could continue to rise because of the disease's highly contagious nature.

PHO chief Dr. Liland Estacion said Thursday that 2,674 of the reported cases were from Dumaguete City, while the remaining 1,714 were recorded in other cities and municipalities across the province.

"Cases may continue to rise as conjunctivitis, caused by viruses or bacteria, is highly contagious and spreads easily through contact with eye discharge or contaminated surfaces," Estacion said in an interview.

She, however, noted that despite the increasing number of cases, there is no need ...