Public Health calls Dominicans to take precautions from the Sahara dust
The Ministry of Public Health called on the population to take precautions in the presence of low concentration Sahara dust in the Dominican Republic.
“It is important to remain calm in the presence of this cloud of dust, a phenomenon that occurs regularly in the hottest months,”, said the health entity.
The authorities pointed out that the particles contained in the dust can cause momentary and temporary irritation to the eyes, so they recommend not being careless and washing hands frequently, the use of glasses, and lubricating eye drops.
The ministry of Public Health also warn people who suffer from some special conditions, such as asthma and respiratory allergies, to continue the use of masks and the same hygiene measures recommended for COVID-19.
“This cloud of dust, which in its drag brings chemicals and microorganisms, can irritate and affect the respiratory tract and the nasal mucosa”, said the entity.
They added that dust has the particularity of accumulating a high load of biological compounds that include fungi, viruses, bacteria, and mites, many of them transmitters of various diseases.
Public Health also recommended that given the increase in temperatures reported by the National Meteorology Office (Onamet), the population wear light and clear clothing, drink plenty of water, and not expose themselves to the sun’s rays between 10-11 am. the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon.
In the same way, moisten the sectors of the house before sweeping to avoid the re-suspension of the dust that could accumulate.