The heavy rainfall and resulting flooding in the country has caused significant damage and loss of life, and experts are concerned about a potential increase in waterborne diseases as the floods continue to destroy properties, roads, and infrastructure.
Dr Elias Mwangi, CECM of Health Services Kiambu County pointed out that floods have led to the displacement of people and exacerbated poor sanitation and it was therefore crucial to implement proper planning to address these issues before they escalate.
Dr. Mwangi was speaking during an exercise in Juja where the county distributed chlorine-based aqua tabs for household water treatment, water jerricans, bar soap and buckets to members of the public.
He sounded the alarm about a looming disaster and encouraged families living in high-risk areas to stay vigilant in order to reduce their chances of coming into contact with contaminated water.
The Health Executive specifically highlighted the risk for households with pit latrines, cautioning that flooding could cause overflow and pollute water sources, increasing the likelihood of waterborne illnesses.
“During this season of heavy rains and floods, it is essential to prioritize WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) initiatives to mitigate health risks and ensure the well-being of communities. Health risks are elevated during floods due to the flooding of latrines in affected areas leading to the contamination of above ground water with faecal matter.”
“The problem is significantly worse in urban areas with existing waste disposal issues as this is when waterborne diseases become a ticking time bomb. It is vital for individuals to remain cautious about their health and anyone having symptoms such as abdominal pain, high fever, vomiting and diarrhoea should seek medical help as soon as possible,” he said.
Dr. Mwangi called for immediate action and assistance from governmental and non-governmental organizations in tackling the looming crises citing that unsafe water and inadequate sanitation would aggravate the transmission of waterborne diseases, posing serious health risks to individuals, adding that without prompt medical intervention, these diseases would lead to severe illness and death.
Waterborne diseases, including cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and hepatitis A, are caused by tiny organisms like viruses and bacteria. These harmful organisms can enter the body through polluted water or through contact with waste material containing the virus.
He explained that in areas affected by the disaster, a major challenge is obtaining clean, uncontaminated water, and urged individuals to avoid drinking water from unknown sources, to boil water before consumption, to steer clear of uncooked foods, and to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
By Hellen Lunalo
