Washing your hands is more powerful than you might think, especially in Africa, where access to clean water can be limited. Regular handwashing with soap can protect you and your family from some serious diseases.
- Cholera
Cholera causes terrible diarrhea and can be life-threatening if not treated. It’s often spread through dirty water or food, and it’s especially common in places with poor sanitation, like parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. The DRC frequently experiences cholera outbreaks, putting millions of people at risk. Washing your hands before eating or cooking helps stop cholera from spreading and keeps you safe.
- Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A spreads through contaminated food and water. Handwashing, especially before meals, can greatly reduce the risk of catching hepatitis A.
- Typhoid Fever
Typhoid fever, spread through dirty food and water, can cause high fevers and stomach pains. Keeping your hands clean, especially after using the bathroom and before eating, helps prevent this illness.
- Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
Common in children, this disease spreads through contact with dirty hands or surfaces. Regular handwashing can prevent it, especially in places where kids are close together, like schools or playgrounds.
- Monkeypox
Monkeypox is a disease that can spread from animals to humans, and sometimes between people. It’s most common in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where there are regular outbreaks, making it the country with the highest number of cases. Nigeria also saw a big outbreak in 2017, which was the largest in nearly 40 years. Washing your hands after handling animals or caring for someone who is sick can help reduce the risk of getting monkeypox.
- Ebola
Ebola is a deadly disease and can spread quickly. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has seen multiple Ebola outbreaks, with thousands of cases reported over the years. During outbreaks, washing your hands with soap or using hand sanitizer is crucial to stop the virus from spreading. This is especially important for people who are in close contact with the sick or those caring for patients.
Conclusion
Washing your hands might seem simple, but it can have a big impact on your health. Whether it’s cholera, typhoid fever, or even COVID-19, regular handwashing with soap is a small step that makes a big difference. Keep your hands clean to stay healthy and protect your community!
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6205565/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10203177/
https://www.afro.who.int/news/africa-63-jump-diseases-spread-animals-people-seen-last-decade#
https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-022-14390-4
