L. Victoria: A major waterborne diseases ground

16Feb 2016
Our Reporter
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The Guardian
L. Victoria: A major waterborne diseases ground

Africa’s largest fresh water source, Lake Victoria, has been named as a major breeding ground for waterborne diseases, putting millions of people at risk, public health experts warned last week.

The view of lake Victoria

People living on Lake Victoria’s islands are at risk of cholera, typhoid, and dysentery as most of them drink water directly from the second largest freshwater lake in the world in terms of surface area.

Assistant Director of Disasters and Emergency in the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elders and Children, Dr Elias Kwesi said that the lake is contaminated with human waste as most sewerage systems from small and major towns are directed into it, hampering the fight against waterborne diseases.

Dr Kwesi said despite the fact that the lake is contaminated with human waste but more people are still using water from the lake, putting them at risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera on regular basis.

Dr Kwesi urged people not to drink water directly from the lake and instead they should develop a habit of drinking boiled water.“We have advised Mwanza Urban Water and Sanitation Authority (MWAUWASA) to increase the amount of chlorine in water by 0.8milligrams per litre as well as the use of water guard in every household,” the medical doctor said.

Mwanza Chief Physician Dr Onesmo Rwakyendela, cited a report from World Health Organization (WHO) and other experts that water from lake is not safe for human consumption.

“This is because the lake is contaminated with human waste as sometimes toilet chambers are opened and waste is discharged into the lake and this is common during rainfall season,” he said.

Cholera outbreak was reported for the first time in Ukelewe District’s Urugwa Island on September 16, 2015 and until now it’s the leading district for having 410 cases with 15 death cases by February 11, this year.

WHO Resident Representative in Tanzania, Dr, Rufaro Chatora, urged authorities responsible for statistics coordination on the number and spread of cholera to ensure that they provide services to the victims accurately as well as find a lasting solution to the pandemic.

Acting Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Baraka Konisaga, urged all district commissioners and district council directors and other players to heavily embark on a campaign against the vice.

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