Prof. Dr. Manohar Prasad Joshi, MD, Family Physician
First part of this is worship. Dashain is biggest festival as per its duration, people involvement and faith, of Hindu mythology. This is the festival of Goddess Durga worship, get together of the relatives and food festival. When we worship The Goddess we get inner energy which increases our vitality.
Second part of this festival is get together. Peoples where ever they are working, reading or moving around are interested to come to home me many things are compromised like water may be inadequate, toilets may be dirty, rooms may be ill ventilated and there is high chances of fall injuries and road traffic accidents.
Third part of Dashain is food ingestion. Not only have the wealthy people, even the poor people collect foods as much as they can. This is for the family and the relatives and guests as well. They make porridge out of rice or wheat flour. Most important food in the Dashain for non-vegetarians is meat. Many Hindu families sacrifice goats, chicken, buffalo etc to Goddess at home or in temples. These foods are kept for many days so there is chances of acquiring many diseases.
Common diseases which may be transmitted in crowds and meat are common colds, other respiratory tract infections, diarrheal diseases, enteric fever, jaundice, tuberculosis and trauma. Diseases caused by meat are, diarrheal diseases, enteric fever, taenia infections (esp. by pork, buffs), brucellosis etc. Meat kept in ordinary fridge for more than 3 days may be not fit to eat.
How to protect our health in such situation?
- Safe travel is mandatory. Don’t travel in standing position and in roof of the bus. This increases the chance of trauma or bus accidents. Take special precautions if yiu are travelling in night or for many days. You feel sleepy which increases the chances of trauma.
- Don’t ride more than two persons in one bike. Always use helmets preferably both passengers. Don’t drive when you have taken even very small amount of alcohol and ganja etc.
- If you have common colds, cough and other respiratory diseases use face mask and don’t go to the crowd. This may decrease the transmission to other healthy personnel. Likewise jaundice is transmitted by foods, water and toilets. So clean thoroughly after using the toilets.
- Frequent hand washing is important act of prevention of disease transmission.
- Foods in the roadside thela etc. Such foods transmit the diseases so must be abandoned.
- Foods stored in room temperature must not take after 12 hours. Foods must be covered when not in use. If those are kept in deep fridge use for 3 days. But the load shading is troublesome to keep constant low temperature. Foods with change of color and foul smell must be discarded. Never eat such foods.
- Meat must be kept in deep fridge for 24 hours, and then only it is able to eat. Cook the meat evenly and up to optimum temperature and period. Don’t take half cooked meat or food.
- Wash the vegetables thoroughly with water. Soak in the water at least for 1 hour before cooking.
Enjoy the festival – Do not destroy it. Just take simple precautions to make our Dashain a great festival.
