KARACHI, Aug 6: The monsoon showers have brought great relief from heat and drought, but due to a lack of prompt action on the part of civic agencies, stagnant rainwater and sewage in almost every locality have created risk of the outbreak of waterborne diseases, especially in big cities like Karachi, where old and worn-out pipelines of potable and water and sewage run side by side in many congested areas.
Though such risks are there in normal days too because of mixing damaged pipelines, the same multiply during rains. It is a good luck that no serious outbreak has been reported from any area so far, but the shabby drainage system and presence of overflowing gutters and puddles of stagnant rainwater still pose a serious threat to public health while the civic agencies concerned are yet to clear roads and streets from stagnant water, lift garbage and fix choked gutter lines.
The contaminated water used in food and drink may carry dangerous pathogens and toxic chemicals which ultimately make their way into human body upon consumption. The catalogue of waterborne pathogens is long, and it includes many that are well-known.
Water also harbours the intermediate stages of many parasites, either as free-living larvae or in some other form, and it is the vehicle for essential stages in the life cycle of many dangerous insect vectors, notably mosquitoes and black flies.
It is important to note that not only drinking water, but the water used for cleaning fruits, vegetables and cooking utensils can also convey disease. Indeed, salads washed in polluted water are usually overlooked and become a source of waterborne disease.
The mixing of stagnant rainwater with potable water may result in spread of major waterborne diseases, including amebiasis, campylobacteriosis, cholera, cryptosporidiosis, cyclosporiasis, giardiasis, hepatitis, salmonellosis, Shigellosis, typhoid fever and viral gastroenteritis. These diseases if not treated properly and promptly may post a threat to life.
Besides chances of spread of these waterborne diseases, mosquitoes abound during the monsoon season, and cases of malaria and dengue are on the upswing. Walking in dirty water can also lead to numerous diseases since it brings ones feet into direct contact with sewage water.
Water from suspect sources usually can be made safe for drinking purpose by getting it boiled. However, boiling is neither practical nor sensible for the treatment of large municipal water supplies. These must be protected by appropriate treatment measures — filtration and purification — (generally through chlorinating).
The other essential components in the prevention of waterborne diseases are the sanitary disposal of sewage and the environmental control of toxic chemicals. Other methods, such as the use of iodine or chloramine in tablet or powder form are sometimes used under emergency conditions, but these methods are less effective as against boiling.
Amongst useful tips to keep yourself safe from waterborne diseases are washing hands properly, avoiding nail-biting, and avoiding consumption of uncooked food like salads outdoors during monsoons.
However, the prime responsibility to save citizens from waterborne diseases during monsoon rains rests on civic agencies. They must mobilise all available resources keep the entire atmosphere clean and environment healthy but ensuring hygiene and cleanliness on roads, in streets, at parks and playgrounds in their entire jurisdiction. A prompt and proper fumigation drive is also essential.
The health authorities also need to keep all major hospitals and healthcare centres on alert and fully equipped to cope with any emergency situation arising out of a possible outbreak of waterborne diseases.—PPI