NIGER: Waterborne disease blights millions of lives*

20 Apr 2007 16:08:03 GMT
Source: IRIN

NIAMEY, 20 April 2007 (IRIN) - NIAMEY, 20 April 2007 (IRIN) - Almost a
quarter of Nigeriens suffer from bilharzia, an infection spread by
swimming or bathing in water contaminated with urine and faeces,
according to new research by Niger's Ministry of Health.

Some three million of Niger's 13.4 million people have been diagnosed as
suffering from the parasitic skin infection, also known as
schistosomiasis. It causes rashes and flu-like symptoms, can create
urinary problems and damage the bladder, liver, lungs, bowel and nervous
system.

Parasitic diseases thrive in areas with poor water supply, sanitation
and housing, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

And Niger, a vast and landlocked country on the southern fringe of the
Sahara desert, has the lowest number of wells and toilets per capita in
the world.

Four out of every five Nigeriens live in the countryside where at least
40 percent of them depend on basic wells for water and the bush for toilet.

Niger's government, in conjunction with the nongovernmental organisation
Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (SCI), has said it is responding to
the data by constructing a new laboratory devoted to the disease in
Niamey, and distributing drugs for treatment.

WHO said on Thursday that an estimated one billion people worldwide -
one sixth of the world's population - are affected by one or more
parasitic disease.

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