Who spread the epidemic and who is responsible? Who bears the consequences of the catastrophic health situation to which we are advancing at frightening steps, with the spread of the expanding circle of cholera? .. There are many legitimate questions that are also linked to weak vigilance, irresponsible behavior and environmental recklessness. However, today, and since the disaster has occurred, it is necessary to deal by examining, isolating and tracing each of the sources that can lead to the occurrence of injuries in order to prevent further expansion of the spot spread.
In one of his statements, Interim Health Minister Firas Al-Abyad said it is normal for the number of cases to increase in the regions over time to reach a certain stage after which it decreases, and the importance of prevention is evident here. to limit the spread and, of course, reduce the number of infections. And since cholera is not similar to the corona, that is, it is not transmitted by respiratory route, but by direct contact with the injured, it is possible to personally follow a number of preventive measures to avoid injury, since today it is necessary to use all available means in front of we for prevention so that the Corona scenario does not happen again.
What measures can be taken in your homes in the face of this chaos, especially at the level of waste water, and the results that have shown the presence of cholera in drinking and drinking water in some areas?
Chlorine and immunity
It is necessary to “clone”, the basic advice for prevention remain, together with a series of measures to be followed on an individual level, as confirmed by Dr. Nidal Al-Mawla, specialist in lung diseases and pressure, in an interview with “Lebanon 24 “. According to Mawla, he had previously warned us of a cholera outbreak, “but intentional and unintentional unconsciousness led us to this situation, and what was expected happened. We had a previous conversation with the website.” Lebanon 24 “at the beginning of We discussed the increase in the incidence of cancer, and all this can be linked to pollution in all its forms and weak immunity.”
Healthy, according to Mawla, the diet followed, as well as coronary infections, meat and chicken that did not meet safety standards, fruits and vegetables saturated with contaminated water, “all this led to a weakening of the immunity of the human body, in addition to the weak infrastructure, especially at the level of stopping the refining of drinking water due to the failure of the plants Refining due to the continuous power outages … all these factors have formed an incubation environment for cholera. ” regarding the fields, noting that they not only contain cholera, but “search the fields and you will find gynecological diseases, diseases of the digestive system and infectious diseases, and a large number of cases of scabies and lice have also been detected”.
Prevention first of all
How can it be prevented? Al-Mawla indicates at the outset that all affected ministries alone are unable to cure in the event of an unusual cholera epidemic, “This requires international follow-up by interested associations and donors to send medical teams. for treatment and follow-up. and to enter fields and isolated areas. with cholera and we will be struck by new infectious diseases. ”
Regarding treatments and preventive methods in homes, Al-Mawla says: “Yes, chlorine is important, two drops of chlorine – this substance is available on the market – per liter of water, after cleaning and sterilizing the tanks, and even fruits and vegetables can sterilize them by soaking them with chlorine for half an hour Second, in this period it is recommended to reduce weeds and vegetables, especially because they transmit bacteria, especially lettuce and its derivatives, and it is very difficult to get rid of the bacteria in them by washing even if we use chlorine.
Al-Mawla advises cutting down on ready-made foods and stopping eating at popular markets on some streets and “relying on boiled foods, such as potatoes and grains. In addition to lots of citrus, garlic, and vinegar in home-cooked food. also to wash the vegetables with vinegar and it is very effective.Finally it is very important not to cook meat and chicken immediately from the refrigerator, but it is better to rub them first with vinegar and then cook them, to avoid the cooling of the bacteria.
formal procedures
And Mawla continues: “As we said about the Corona issue, avoid social mixing as much as possible. We don’t tell people to hurry up, but rather that prudence is a duty, and anyone who experiences any symptoms should go to the hospital immediately.”
The Ministry of Public Health announced a few days ago that it covers the costs of cholera patients at its own expense.
The Minister of Health confirmed, after a meeting chaired by President Najib Mikati, to the Ministerial Committee on the Spread of Epidemics, that in all Municipalities the need to conduct routine tests for water distributed through cisterns and deposits of distribution of water, and the need to sterilize this water with chlorine, in collaboration with the Lebanese Red Cross and supported NGOs. For his part, Energy Minister Walid Fayyad said at the meeting that a recommendation was made by the Ministry of Energy to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers to take an exceptional decision to prioritize everything related to energy. for major vital assets of water, pumping and wastewater treatment, which allows us to ensure access to electricity to these assets to reduce any future danger to the spread of the epidemic.
