Do Not Use Suspicious Water: Intestinal Infectious Diseases Activate in Heat

Intestinal infectious diseases are characterized by seasonality; therefore, cases of the disease and outbreaks are more frequently recorded during the hot months of the year, when favorable conditions exist for the growth and multiplication of pathogens causing intestinal infections.

As it is known, intestinal infectious diseases spread through water, food, and also through household contact. Food under favorable conditions serves as a nutritional medium for the pathogens of infectious diseases, promoting their growth and reproduction. In summer, poorly washed fruits and vegetables, food items not stored under proper conditions, and improperly prepared dishes more frequently become the cause of outbreaks of intestinal infectious diseases.

Individuals with weak immune systems—including children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—are more susceptible to intestinal infectious diseases. It should be noted that a number of outbreaks of intestinal infectious diseases have been recorded in Armenia this year, mainly attributed to food factors, including cases in preschool organizations.

To avoid intestinal infectious diseases and subsequent complications, the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health urges you to:

• Wash your hands before eating and after using the toilet.
• Thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables with running water before consumption.
• Keep food in closed containers to avoid contamination.
• Store perishable food in the refrigerator.
• Avoid buying food sold in places not intended for that purpose.
• Do not use suspicious water.
• If your area has experienced interruptions or accidents in drinking water supply, use water only after boiling or drink bottled water.
• If you experience symptoms of intestinal infectious diseases (fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, general weakness, etc.), seek medical assistance immediately.
• Only use tap water after it has run for 10-15 minutes.
• Do not swim in water bodies that are not designated for swimming, such as reservoirs, irrigation canals, or decorative ponds, as they may contain pathogens of intestinal infections.