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Momodou
Denmark
11790 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Aug 2007 : 18:34:29
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FLOOD AND WATER-BORNE DISEASES
By Yaya Bajo
Following the inundation of water in some communities in the Kanifing Municipality, health providers have raised concern about the imminent outbreak of diarrhea related diseases such as cholera in the affected areas. It could be recalled that an outbreak of cholera hit Ebo-Town two years ago and cause both morbidity and mortality among the affected households. However, with the commencement of rain this year and subsequent floods in the area, all contingent measures should be put in place to avert the reoccurrence of the epidemic.
In view of this, the resident of the flooded communities should be adequately sensitized on the possible outbreak of water-borne diseases and the health hazard it poses to the life of the people. It should be noted that floods carry all sorts of dirt including disease-causing micro organisms, which could easily lead to series of infectious diseases such as diarrhea, worm infestations, shistosomiasis or bilharzias and other water borne diseases.
Children, particularly toddlers bear the brunt of these conditions and if they become contaminated by these diseases and a strict personal hygiene is not observed, an outbreak could easily follow suit. Infact the general populace should be aware that a confirmed case of cholera is enough to declare an outbreak, because of its contagious nature. Therefore, it should concern all and sundry.
Communities that have experienced floods should observe strict personal and environmental hygiene with a view to preventing the outbreak of water-borne diseases. Residents in the affected areas must desist from utilizing well waters for cooking and drinking as this may cause infections. Latrines should be properly managed and children excreta must be handled with care as well. Foods and food products should be handled with maximum care to avoid contamination and in addition to that, hands should be properly washed under running water, clean for that matter before and after eating and after using the toilet.
Additionally, residents in these flooded communities as a matter of urgency should avail themselves to the nearest heath facilities if they experience any form of diarrhea diseases for immediate diagnosis and possible treatments. Notwithstanding, this can serve as a mechanism in preventing and controlling the spread of the outbreak of cholera. Cholera which shows symptoms of rice-watery diarrhea and severe dehydration is highly contagious and its mortality rate is always fatal. In the event of its outbreak, many people are exposed to risk including the health workers, so it is better to prevent it than to cure it.
However, I would like to urge the department of health and its collaborators to intensify the awareness campaign by launching Radio and Television sensitization programmes in order to attain wider coverage. Finally, those already affected by the flood should be provided with humanitarian assistance from concerned authorities, philanthropic organisations and other good Samaritans in order to ameliorate their ordeals and most importantly to prevent them from contracting any other form of water-borne diseases.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No.99/2007, 24 - 26 August 2007
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