How Water Containers and Garbage Can Affect Our Health

According to the 2005 report of United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), “There are 300 million to 500 million cases of malaria throughout the world and about one million child deaths.” Malaria fever is caused through the bite of mosquito, which breeds in poor drainage, sewage and garbage collection systems. When water gets stagnated in containers and garbage, it provides ideal breeding conditions for the Aedes mosquito, which causes the deadly dengue fever in humans by transmitting the dengue virus.

Uncovered Water Containers

• Water in the uncovered containers becomes a breeding place for mosquitoes. These containers are used for storage purpose in those regions that have a scarcity of clean water. The Aedes mosquito leaves the larvae in the uncovered water containers, and when a mosquito infected with dengue virus bites a human, the human also catches dengue virus through transmission. Overhead tanks, drums and jars, if not covered, attract the Aedes mosquitoes for breeding.

Stagnant Water

• Due to poor sanitation and drainage in the streets, there are discarded containers, bottles, and tires that hold stagnant water for a long period of time. During rainy season, water stagnates in these discarded containers and serves as a breeding spot for the malaria-causing mosquitoes. Malaria spreads to the humans through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito, which carries the malarial parasite known as Plasmodium.

Garbage

• Garbage containers, left uncovered, are often the feeding grounds to rodents, insects, birds and stray animals. When it rains, the uncovered garbage containers allow water to stagnate, thus making the breeding of malaria-causing and dengue-causing mosquitoes easier. Tropical weather and poor health administration worsen the problem as garbage collection systems are not cleaned regularly.

Symptoms of Malaria and Dengue

• The symptoms of malaria include fever, chills, headache, nausea and tiredness. In some cases, convulsions, coma and kidney failure may occur. In severe forms of malaria, protective immunity may develop, which could lead to cerebral hemorrhage. Dengue is characterized by high fever; intense headache; pain behind the eyes; the appearance of a bright red rash on the body; and bleeding under the skin, gums, and nose.

Prevention

• Since malaria and dengue are fatal diseases that are caused by poor sanitation and ineffective drainage of stagnated water in containers and garbage, they must be prevented by ensuring hygienic living conditions in the society. The World Health Organization recommends the use of insecticide-treated bed nets for preventing malaria in children as well as pregnant ladies. To kill the larvae of dengue-causing mosquitoes in water containers, add a larvicide, such as temephos, which is available in grocery and pharmacy stores; however, the simplest solution is to cover water containers and garbage bins.