From acute gastroenteritis to hepatitis; from typhoid to abdominal pain; from loose motions to vomiting; and from food poisoning to jaundice; a 30% rise has been observed in all such cases. From children to adults, all have been victimized by waterborne diseases. As per a United Nations report, over one lakh people in India die due to water-borne diseases every year. Rajasthan and Gujarat, which feature in the list of top ten hottest places in India on a regular basis, are among the worst affected.
Summer diarrhea is one of the most common problems associated with rising temperatures. Water sold on the streets in cities like Delhi is usually unclean and unfit to drink. But the searing heat forces people to go for cheaper options like roadside water dispensers which operate without any regulation. Moreover, fruit juices are a popular choice among the general public in cities which experience hot day conditions. The hygiene level of fruit juice stalls is generally on the lower side and the water used by them is also responsible for fueling waterborne diseases.
Doctors advise that a few precautionary measures can be taken to avoid such problems. These include drinking boiled water, saying no to raw food outside, eating mostly home-made food, trashing leftovers, and washing your hands before every meal and after going to the washroom.
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