Quite a few cases of the water-borne disease, gastroenteritis also known as the stomach flu, have been reported following the passage of Tropical Storm Erika, health officials said.
They said they have been working tirelessly to educate the public on ways to treat drinking water because the scarcity of pipe borne water in some communities could give rise to diseases such as gastroenteritis but cases are being reported.
“We have a few cases of gastroenteritis within certain zones of Dominica and that is the reason why we are so vigilant in ensuring that it do not escalate, that we do not have more cases than we can really control,” Nurse from the Health Promotion Unit, Adora Toussaint noted.
She remarked because of the cases, it is important that people “take heed to the information that is given on radio as well as information given as we move around, as we send our leaflets” on the use of water after the storm.
“It’s not just giving information but to take in the information and acting on the information,” she noted.
Toussaint said water must be treated by either “boiling it or by using bleach.”
“Your health is your responsibility,” she warned. “We are happy to be able to serve you, but would be much happier if you would take the information given and act on it.”
Director of Primary Health Care Services, Dr Laura Esprit, had earlier advised that until further notice, all drinking water should be boiled or treated using water purification tablets.
The Environmental Health Arm of the Ministry of Health is now distributing these tablets.
She pointed out that one tablet can be added to one litre of water, while four tablets should be added to a gallon.
“Essentially what you do is you put four tablets into the container, leave it to stand for 30 minutes and then it is ready to drink,” Dr. Esprit stated.
Symptoms of gastroenteritis include diarrhea and vomiting. You might also have stomach pain, cramping, fever, nausea, and a headache.
What about the community of Bioche when it comes to the purification tablets that are being given out by the ministry of health? Or the filter containers that other communities are benefiting from. Kids are getting sick and rashes are being developed by quiete a few persons. IT’S LIKE WE DONT EXIST! Yes we get water but not on a large scale. One has to limit their water intake. 20+ days without water is working a number on us.
And beware of botulism. That is a real killer. Cook all your foods at min. 85 degrees C for min. 15 minutes and I would recommend you do not re-heat food.
What is happening to all the water that we are hassling to ship to DA from the US? Why isn’t the entire island benefiting from the relief aid that we are sending? The idea is not to hoard or be discriminatory with what WE ARE SENDING but that ALL DOMINICANS and I mean ALL should be receiving aid.
All Dominicans were affected whether directly or indirectly from the pictures we are looking at and I think our intent was that all Dominicans receive aid – water, sugar, flour. clothes, beans, rice.
Who is in charge of DA? Do the citizens have a say in anything?
Unfortunately, it appears only some people getting it. There are certain areas in Dominica that were not damaged by the storm, yet people there (of certain political colors) are receiving stuff. Why? The people in the diaspora who are assisting should demand answers from the authorities here in Dominica since the locals seem afraid to ask.
can a list of distribution points be posted on dno so people have direct access to this info?
First of all there are restaurants that operating with no clean running water and nothing is being done. All i can think about is the cook using a bathroom and no running water to wash hands. With all these potential diseases people must be careful what they eat and drink. The ministry of health needs to step it up.
the labar patriots don’t have to give us their relief but I say bottle water is for everyone….
Don’t care about the political aspect of it but i do believe that the bottle water should be for everyone.
This illness could be a bad one. Babies, young children and the elderly could easily be affected.
Where can we get the tablets please?
Hahaha, according to the Brains they are safely stored in a container! (…seeing is believing!).
I would also urge people to be very careful buying foods an drinks from roadside vendors at this time. No offense but we do not know how hygiene is affected with this lack of water and it is better to be safe than sorry.
You are correct. Excellent idea. I think the government – the health minister should issue some sort of directive to roadside vendors about this. It is too soon after this storm, Erika. The water may still not yet be as clean as previously.
Hence the reason they should give water to everyone not just the affected ones there is enough to go around….there are still some villages and certain households without water. Even if is water there is an expiration date we wouldn’t want the water to expire and 3/4 of the country suffering from gastroenteritis because the water was stored up and not given out…. I’m just saying
SENSE, bottle water take’s an average 24 months before expire by that time pipe water will be running .
what are “the affected ones” we were all affected
I have limited amounts of clean drinking water and no one is helping NO ONE
Ppl take heed this is seriou time.