Water can transmit several significant diseases, including cholera, typhoid, shigellosis, tularemia, tuberculosis, leptospirosis, and amoebiasis.
To protect yourself from these diseases, follow these guidelines:
- When traveling, opt for bottled water.
- Ensure that the ice you consume comes from sanitary and trustworthy sources.
- Avoid drinking water from suspicious sources, such as those found on roadsides, parks, and gardens.
- Refrain from using water from rivers and streams for drinking, cooking, washing vegetables, fruits, dishes, and clothes.
- Keep water stored in clean containers and ensure they are properly covered.
If you are compelled to use water from rivers or lakes, adhere to the following precautions:
- Allow the water to settle in a container for some time so that impurities can sink to the bottom. Alternatively, you can filter the water with a clean towel.
- Boil the water for at least 3 minutes. If you are at high altitudes, increase the boiling time to 10 minutes.
- Consider using disinfectant tablets or water purification filters, following the instructions provided with these products.
