By Dr Saida Ibrahim
NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 1 – The rains have begun to fall as the country prepares for the El Nino season. Rains herald good news to some as they prepare their farms for planting. Yet for others, each drop is a grim reminder of the potential devastation and human suffering accompanying heavy rains and flooding.
While these natural disasters cause havoc in various ways, a link between flooding and waterborne diseases cannot be ignored. This link has serious implications, particularly for children, who are especially vulnerable to the risks of waterborne diseases during such times.
For starters, the overflow of rivers and waterways during heavy rain creates a breeding ground for disease-carrying vectors such as mosquitoes and other insects. These vectors spread diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and Zika, posing a significant health risk. Furthermore, flooding contaminates water sources with pathogens from sewage and waste, exposing communities to diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. Children are most vulnerable because their immune systems are weaker, and their defences are less developed.
Consider malaria. While the disease is not directly transmitted through water, the stagnant water left behind by floods provides a fertile breeding ground for mosquitoes, increasing malaria cases. More concerning is the fact that Kenya already has a major malaria problem. Malaria is responsible for 13% to 15% of outpatient consultations in Kenya, according to the 2020 Kenya Malaria Indicator Survey, with 13 million people living in high endemic areas and another 19 million in highland epidemic-prone and seasonal transmission areas.
Children are particularly vulnerable to the disease, which causes severe anaemia and fever and can be fatal in severe cases. Malaria prevalence increases significantly during seasons such as El Nino, making it critical for parents and guardians to consider preventative measures such as using bed nets and draining stagnant water.
Cholera is another risky disease that is closely associated with flooding. During floods, contaminated water sources and poor sanitation can easily result in cholera outbreaks. Children, particularly those living in rural areas with limited access to clean water and sanitation, are at high risk of contracting this lethal disease. Parents should teach their children the importance of handwashing, using clean water sources, and practising proper hygiene, particularly during rainy seasons, to reduce the risk of cholera infection.
Numerous diarrhoea diseases are Coming close to cholera, which can cause severe dehydration in children and adults. Contaminated water, particularly in areas where pit latrines are used, can easily become a source of infection. Parents should be vigilant in providing safe drinking water for their children and teaching them to avoid drinking water from untrustworthy sources.
Given the dangers, communities must implement several measures to help mitigate the risks associated with flooding. One of the most important factors to consider is education. Communities are empowered to protect themselves when they are equipped with knowledge and information about waterborne diseases and ways to prevent them, such as handwashing and treating water before drinking.
Communities should identify and secure clean and safe drinking water sources whenever possible. This may include water treatment or the installation of water purification systems. Government, non-state actors, businesses, and other organisations can work together to ensure that marginalised communities have access to safe drinking water.
Furthermore, promoting proper sanitation is critical for the prevention of waterborne diseases. Several diseases are exacerbated by being in close proximity to human faeces, highlighting the importance of clean and functional toilets. Communities can collaborate to ensure that everyone has access to safe sanitation.
Among other basic interventions, people must sleep under mosquito nets when flooding creates pools of standing water to combat mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and Rift Valley Fever. Governmental and non-governmental organisations can help distribute these nets to communities that may need easy access to them.
Finally, seeking medical attention immediately if someone exhibits symptoms of waterborne diseases such as stomach pain, diarrhoea, or vomiting is critical to preventing the progression of illnesses and halting their spread within the community.
In conclusion, the link between flooding and waterborne diseases is undeniable. Similarly, the fight against waterborne diseases during the El Nino season must be collaborative. Government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and communities must work together to make the environment safer for children and adults. Preventive measures, education, and improved infrastructure are critical to reducing the impact of flooding and waterborne diseases. We all have a part to play.
Ibrahim is a Paediatrician at Gertrudes Children’s Hospital
