Even though there are noticeable differences from one region to another, the rainy season in Nigeria, usually starts from February and ends around November.
In Nigeria, rainy season is a time for farmers to step up their agricultural activities, but healthwise the season has its attendant effects.
Malaria, cold, cholera, pneumonia and asthma are some of the common diseases during the rainy season. Every year, thousands of people are rushed to hospitals because of severe health issues caused by malaria. This has become a yearly occurrence in many states of the federation.
Daily Trust looks at five common illnesses that intensify during the rainy season, the causes and measures to prevent them.
The President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr. Emeka Innocent Orji, listed malaria, acute diarrhoeal, respiratory infection (Pneumonia, tonsillitis), acute exacerbation of Asthma, skin infection as some the common sicknesses during the wet season.
Malaria
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
Common cold
The common cold is a viral infection of your nose and throat (upper respiratory tract). It’s usually harmless, although it might not feel that way. Many types of viruses can cause a common cold.
Cholera
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Cholera remains a global threat to public health and an indicator of inequity and lack of social development.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus (purulent material), causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing.
Asthma
Asthma is a long-term condition affecting children and adults. The air passages in the lungs become narrow due to inflammation and tightening of the muscles around the small airways.
Causes
Orji said these sicknesses are caused by many factors which include bushes around residences, potholes filled with dirty stagnant water, poor hand hygiene, lack of potable water, poor access to health facilities, improper sewage disposal, improper refuse disposal, flooding, poor housing condition, among others.
Prevention
He said since human beings have the ability to effect changes in their environment, there are measures that can be put in place to prevent the occurrence of such diseases.
According to him, the measures include clearing of bushes; use of repellants, fumigation, hand washing, provision of potable water, immunization, among others.
