By: Adekunle Victoria Olajesu
How we prepare our food is just as important as the food we eat. Good hygiene should always be our priority during food preparation. We should never use unsafe or contaminated water to wash or cook our food. Instead, we should ensure that the water we use is clean and safe. We should also be careful about where we buy and eat food. Some roadside food vendors and canteens may unknowingly use contaminated water in preparing meals, which can put customers’ health at risk.
Contaminated water can result from several sources, including poorly constructed or damaged boreholes that allow surface pollutants to enter, leaking septic tanks or pit latrines that release sewage into groundwater, agricultural runoff containing fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste, industrial waste discharged into water sources, flooding that carries pollutants into wells and boreholes, poor sanitation and open defecation, improper waste disposal, natural minerals such as arsenic, fluoride, iron, and manganese found in underground rocks, poor maintenance of water sources such as broken borehole covers or damaged pipes, and oil spills or mining activities that introduce harmful chemicals into water bodies. These factors make water unsafe for drinking and cooking and can lead to serious waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, diarrhea, hepatitis A, and giardiasis.
There is a popular saying that “Health is wealth.” This is true because using contaminated water to prepare food can cause illnesses that require expensive medical treatment. Preventing disease by using clean water is far better than spending money on treatment later.
Cholera is a serious bacterial disease caused by Vibrio cholerae. It is usually spread through contaminated water or food. The main symptoms include severe diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration. Cholera is treated by replacing lost fluids with Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) or intravenous (IV) fluids in severe cases. Antibiotics may also be prescribed by a healthcare professional when necessary.
Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella Typhi. It spreads through contaminated food or water and poor hygiene. Common symptoms include prolonged fever, weakness, headache, stomach pain, and loss of appetite. Typhoid fever is treated with antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare professional. Drinking plenty of fluids, getting adequate rest, and seeking prompt medical care are essential for recovery.
Giardiasis is an intestinal infection caused by the parasite Giardia lamblia (also known as Giardia intestinalis). It is commonly spread through contaminated water, contaminated food, or poor hygiene. Symptoms include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, bloating, and fatigue. Giardiasis is treated with prescription antiparasitic medication, and drinking enough fluids is important to prevent dehydration. With proper treatment, most people recover completely.
In conclusion, clean water is essential for safe food preparation and good health. Every individual should ensure that only clean and safe water is used for cooking, washing food, and drinking. Food vendors, restaurant owners, and households all have a responsibility to maintain proper hygiene and use safe water. By doing so, we can reduce the spread of waterborne diseases and promote healthier communities. Remember, prevention is always better than cure, and indeed, health is wealth.
