WESTERN PROVINCE

RUBAVU — Residents have been urged to improve sanitation to avoid catching worms.

Addressing residents on Tuesday, Doreen Kayinyobwa, an official of World Health Organisation, in charge of training, said worms are some of the neglected diseases killing children in villages.

"Worms are very dangerous because they live in the patient’s belly and start feeding on him. Some suck blood while most of them feed on food nutrients that are meant to be absorbed by the body. This causes nutrition deficiency,” she said. 

She advised residents to eat clean food, drink boiled water, have clean pit latrines and seek medical check up, saying many people unknowingly live with worms.

She warned that diseases due to worms have severe effects including affecting children’s performance in class. Children are always unhealthy and uncomfortable which affects their rate of concentration, she said.

According to Dr. Innocent Rurinda of Gisenyi Hospital, some worms cause constipation, stomach bloating, anemia, diarrhea, digestive disorders and fatigue. Other symptoms include low immune system, nervousness and skin rush.

Rurinda said that there can be over 100 different types of parasitic worms living in human bodies. Some are microscopic in size while others can be seen quite clearly.

He explained that Roundworms which are similar to an earthworm can produce 200,000 eggs daily. He advised residents to always wash their hands with soap before eating food and always wear shoes to avoid worms that can penetrate through the skin.

Ends