Health advisory for current bad weather and wet season
We are still in the wet season and continuously experiencing bad weather, including cyclones. As such the the Ministry of Health and Medical Services would like to reiterate to the public to take extra precautionary measures in order to preserve our health and lives. These heavy down pours for longer periods can easily cause
- Accidents, injuries and deaths
- Contamination of drinking water
- Spread of infections, S
- Skin diseases,
- Diarrhoa
- Vomiting
- Flu/running nose
- Pneumonia
- Common cold
As such Health is requesting everyone to
- Always stay indoors as much as possible during heavy rain and keep warm
- Parents stop your children from playing along drains with running water, flood water, rivers and streams as the water bacteria-contamination is very high from surface runoffs, that can lead to diseases such as Cholera, Giardia, Coli, Salmonella, Typhoid fever that can all cause sickness fatal illness.
- Those drinking from tap water, boreholes and rainwater tanks with open guttering it is useful to boil water for drinking to kill any germs or bacteria as such weather can easily contaminate drinking water.
- Encourage frequent hand washing with soap in our homes especially before eating, after using the toilet and ensure food are stored away safely.
- Those with Asthma, it is critical that you always stay warm and do no expose yourself to the cold as it could trigger asthma attack.
- Also, be sure to wash your hands after any contact with floodwater.
Malaria Health Message
The country is already experiencing increasing number of malaria and dengue fever cases across the country and the current bad weather and rainy season can worsen the situation. Therefore, everyone must ensure
- That you and your family sleep inside mosquito nets. This also includes for boarding schools.
- To Use mosquito coils at entry points in homes and Mortein spray in households in the evening.
- To Maintain house window screen
- Cover or close lids of containers that can collect and store water.
- Home surrounding is routinely cleaned and open empty cans recycled or buried away properly.
- To Go to nearest clinic to check for Malaria if you have fever, headache, nausea, vomiting.
- To Complete taking malaria dose if you are positive with Malaria and 14 days dose of primaquine if advised by the doctor.
For parents & guardians of infants and children during bad weather you are advised to ensure
- More frequent and continued breastfeeding of your babies and ensure before breastfeeding that breast is washed clean.
- To keep infants and children warm and remain indoors throughout the course of down pour.
- To give your baby and children clean water.
- To cover baby’s food from flies and dirty hands.
- To seek medical help as soon as your child is unwell.
Babies and children sleep inside mosquito nets.