The experts said chlorine kills bacteria in water.

Two medical experts on Friday advised the public to use WaterGuard product to treat and purify their drinking water to prevent the spread of typhoid fever.

The experts said in Lagos that contaminated water was one of the major sources of transmitting the disease.

WaterGuard is a chlorine-based water treatment system that purifies water from the bacteria which causes water-borne diseases and typhoid.

Austin Nweke, a general physician, said that the use of the product “reduces the risk of becoming sick and contracting typhoid fever due to drinking of dirty water.’’

Mr. Nweke said that typhoid fever was common in less-industrialised countries like Nigeria where unsafe drinking water, inadequate sewage disposal and flooding were rampant.

“We have leakages of pipes everywhere and it allows dirt from drain to enter the pipes and water is likely to be contaminated with sewage and germs.

“You can get typhoid fever if Salmonella Typhi bacteria gets into the water you use for drinking or washing food.

“Once the bacteria enters the person’s body, they multiply and spread from the intestines into the bloodstream and the body reacts with fever and other signs,” he said.

Mr. Nweke said that the symptoms include high fever, headache, constipation or diarrhoea, rose-coloured spots on the chest area and enlarged spleen and liver. He, however, advised that regular intake of clean water, good hygiene and sanitation would prevent the spread of typhoid fever.

Another general physician, Chinenye Aforka, called for health education about personal hygiene in respect of hand-washing after toilet use and before food preparation.

Ms. Aforka added that proper sanitation systems, provision of a safe water supply, adequate sewage disposal and use of WaterGuard to chlorinate water were the best ways of preventing typhoid.

“Chlorine purifies water and kills off any water-borne pathogens and micro-organisms in the water,” she said. (NAN)