The Taipei City Department of Health warned the public Monday to take precautions against conjunctivitis as the number of outpatients seeking treatment for the disease reached 5.94 per 1,000 people. Conjunctivitis, or pinkeye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, a thin, transparent tissue that covers the white of the eye and lines the inner eyelid. The department said conjunctivitis is mostly caused by bacteria and viruses, such as enterovirus and adenovirus, and can easily spread from person to person, with patients suffering from burning or itchy eyes, blurred vision, increased amount of tears, increased sensitivity to light and thick yellow discharge that crusts over the eyelashes. The department asked swimming pool operators to post information about the disease and deny conjunctivitis patients access to swimming pools. They said pools should monitor chlorine levels every two hours and keep the germicide content between 0.3 parts per million and 0.7 ppm. It said that members of the public should refrain from going to swimming pools and other public places, and should wash hands frequently to avoid being infected or spreading the disease. The department advised people who suspected they were infected to seek immediate medical help. 