My aunt went to the seminary the other night to teach a sanitation/hygiene class. There have been a couple cases of typhoid in town, and now two seminary students have it. It is contagious through feces and vomit as well as food and drink that have been contaminated by flies and other insects. Symptoms include: high fever, persistent headache, abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, nasal bleeding, weakness, dizziness and nausea. Basically, the students just feel terrible. Peruvians often don’t get the symptoms as bad as someone from the States, for instance, would get it. Complications can be fatal, but the students are on antibiotics.
Such things as germs are not though of much here. Sharing cups and spoons is common; washing hands is uncommon. On Monday when we were helping at the mudslide, we got hungry and thirsty; some ladies were feeding the workers and giving them chicha. Opting to skip the chicha, we asked for pop. They found a small amount and even had a glass for us. A man poured the glass for Kristie. She drank, and handed it back. He carefully poured me some, so I drank and handed it back. So on down the line of all seven of us. Before we drank, he had probably just rinsed the glass – they don’t often actually wash their dishes.
Another factor here is the water which carries all kinds of nasty stuff in it; dead animals, earthworms and such are a few of the things my aunt has seen in the water. Most of the students try to not drink the water, but they grew up drinking it, so they will sometimes if they are thirsty or brushing their teeth. So my aunt presented many new thoughts to them that are common knowledge and practice to Americans. Please pray that typhoid will not spread any more, particularly at the seminary. We were going to have a week for highschoolers who might want to come to the seminary, but it was cancelled just to be careful. The students aren’t allowed to help at church right now, either; Marc, Kristie and I suddenly became OANSA (OWANA) helpers last night to fill in.
As you can tell, I am learning a lot about practical life on the mission field!
The pictures you posted on Facebook show the top of the reservoir to be completely open. We wondered about the cleanliness of the water supply. So you must normally boil water for household use?
ReplyDeleteSome people do; last time I was here we always boiled it. Now the Lovealls have a special water filter. Others just buy all their water.
ReplyDeleteMost nationals, particularly the ones in the country, live with giardia just as a way of life.
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