FRSC, LASTMA officials at higher risk of diseases triggered by harmattan – Epidemiologists
Traffic wardens, Vehicle Inspection Officers, Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Traffic Management Agency officials, among others have been identified as those at higher risk of diseases triggered by the harmattan season.
Also, commercial motorcyclists, those selling on the roadsides and in traffic and people working at the sawmills are at risk of health conditions linked to the season, experts have warned.
The epidemiologists listed cough, respiratory diseases, hypersensitivity reaction, dehydration, skin diseases among others as health conditions linked to harmattan.
In Nigeria, the harmattan season typically occurs between November and March.
The peak of harmattan falls between December and January when the dry, dusty winds from the Sahara Desert are at their strongest. These winds lead to cooler temperatures, low humidity, and poor air quality. The season gradually tapers off by March.
Meanwhile, research has also shown the correlation between the season and the spread of airborne diseases. Illnesses such as sore throat, frequent sneezing, watery or reddish eyes, catarrh, and dried skin and lips are common during this time.
Poor visibility, dehydration, fire outbreaks, foodborne diseases and triggers of sickle cell crisis in sufferers are also health and environmental challenges that come with this season.
Disclosing this during an exclusive interview with HealthWise, a public health physician and epidemiologist, Dr Japhet Olugbogi, explained that law enforcement officers who carry out their activities on the roads and highways may be exposed to germs which could trigger respiratory and skin diseases associated with the effects of harmattan.
He added that those working in sawmills and marketplaces were also prone to those health conditions.
“Those whose jobs make them be on the road or in exposed places can have dust entering their eyes and nose, especially law enforcement officers, who usually stand on the road where vehicles are raising a lot of dust or Okada riders.
“People working in sawmills, marketplaces or in areas where the road is not tarred may also be at risk as the dust can give them a form of irritation in their airways”, Olugbogi, who is the Medical Officer of Health, Ifelodun Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, said.
He further noted, “The weather is always colder than other seasons of the year. So, because of that, those who are asthmatic can have triggers because of the dust. So many things are dry at that particular point in time and those who are asthmatic can begin to have frequent attacks if they’re exposed to dust.
“Apart from that, there is respiratory tract infection which a lot of people call cough. This is so because a lot of people may inhale germs-infested dust because it won’t just be dust as it were, but germs-infested dust during the season.”
According to him, those who have hypersensitivity reactions (those who react to things easily) could also be triggered by the harmattan, as this is also similar to those who are asthmatic.
“There are also those who are prone to having skin diseases, especially skin rashes, dermatitis, eczema among others can be triggered in people during the season. Crack lip is also another common health condition during harmattan. And people always make crack lips look like something that can be wished away with a wave of the hand but it bothers a lot of people because it gives people discomfort in terms of physical attraction”, the epidemiologist added.
Advising Nigerians on how to mitigate the possible health conditions associated with the season, the expert said people should always remain hydrated and inculcate regular use of face masks.
Olugbogi counselled, “There are also cases of dehydration because of the weather and people can easily have dehydration. It is advisable that people drink a lot of water as they go by their businesses to stay hydrated because people get thirsty easily during this period.
“Dehydration can make people run fever, feel tired or fatigued and for those who are living with sickle cell anemia, it can make their blood thick which can trigger an attack in them. They should endeavour to take a lot of water.
“It is advisable that people protect themselves by wearing nose masks if they know they’re going to be in an environment where there is going to be dust. It is also advisable that if you are prone to crack lips or just for a form of protection to use lip balm during the season.”
A Professor of Public Health, Tanimola Akande, also told PUNCH Healthwise that the season may trigger common respiratory diseases among others because of the dusty, windy, cold, and low humidity nature of the season.
“Harmattan could trigger most common respiratory diseases. Such diseases include rhinitis, common cold, sore throat, and exacerbation of asthmatic attacks.
“It can also lead to skin dryness and irritation as well as eye irritation. It may also worsen arthritis because of the low temperature associated with harmattan,” the expert said.
Identifying those at risk, the professor of public health listed children, adults, males, and females and everyone living in the area with harmattan.
“People who are asthmatic or have some other chronic respiratory diseases are at greater risk,” Akande said.
He, however, advised people with underlying conditions to mitigate the impact of harmattan season by adhering to safety precautions and improving their personal hygiene.
