Death in Yemens water [Archives:2002/26/Health]
BY SAAD SHARIF TAHIR
YEMEN TIMES STAFF
Bilharzia is a type of parasitic worm with suckers that infest human and other blood, with two larval stages, first in water-snail and then in man.
It is also known as schistosomiasias and is common in tropical countries especially Egypt and other parts of Africa.
It is one of the dangerous diseases that is spread all over the world, especially in countries of many rivers. Thousands of people die because of this disease particularly in poor countries because of carelessness and non-hygienic education.
Polluted rivers are a huge problem harming the health of people, animals and the environment as well.
Here in Yemen, while we do not have large rivers compared with other countries, we do have torrents that are good for watering agriculture, washing clothes and even drinking.
One of these torrents is in the Wadi Bana area, and it flows all year.
Definitely thousands of farmers make use of its water in agriculture and drinking, but unfortunately many people do not respect this God-given grace by polluting it with garbage, sewage and wastes of garage oils.
That has made it a source of Bilharzia, a serious epidemic.
As a result of using its water in agriculture and washing clothes directly in it, a big ratio of skin infection is seen.
Moreover side swamps and stagnant water are fertile ground for cochleas, which cause Bilharzia.
Dr. Fawzi AL-Qadri of Al-Jazirah clinic in Nadirah said Bilharzia symptoms differ according to the type of the disease whether it is schistosome heamatopium (in urine)or manasoni (in intestines).
The main type in Yemen is the latter. Its symptoms are seen through pruritus (skin scratching) where germs enter in addition to simple swelling and inflammation of intestined mucosa which results in ulcer, pains an abdomen and bloody diarrhea.
As for schistosome there is blood in urine. In dangerous complications there are hepatosplenomegalla (swelling of liver and spleen) which later destroys the liver.
The doctor said officials attempt to show people how to kill cochlea, the source of the epidemic with chemical and biological materials; educate them to clean pools and tanks from time to time; tell them to wear long boots and gloves when irrigating; and educate them not to urinate or excrete in stagnant waters.
In a small town, between 20 and 30 cases appear every month, said Dr. al-Qadri.
I adjure officials by God to provide us with suitable medicine to deal with Bilharzia, and establish a clinic or center to educate people, said the doctor.
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