MAHA SARAKHAM — Can’t take the heat? Don’t dive into the rivers and khlongs, doctors warned Tuesday.
Doctors in Maha Sarakham province warned residents not to bathe or play in public waterways – despite this week’s highs of almost 38C there – because of the risk of infectious diseases.
“Due to the hot weather, some citizens have chosen to cool off in public waterways such as creeks, swamps, khlongs, marshes, ponds and reservoirs,” Weerasak Anutaraangkoon, director of Maha Sarakham Hospital said. “In some areas, the water is unclean and full of bacteria. If the water gets in your eyes, you could get conjunctivitis.”
Bathing in unclean water also puts one at risk of other eye and ear diseases.
Weerasak recommended people not dive into swamps altogether and to wash their eyes thoroughly if they have done so. People with eye diseases should consult an ophthalmologist, take three days off work or school, avoid sharing personal belongings with others and use only prescribed eye drops, he added.
He also advised using only medically proven products for treatment.
“Please don’t self-cure using false beliefs, such as using milk instead of eye drops,” Weerasak said.
