For a few days, the inhabitants of numerous cities in Caribbean countries have seen how the sky hides behind a mist. The reason is that a cloud of dust from the Sahara has traveled to America, in the Caribbean Sea area. Many countries have been affected by this dust and concern is growing among the inhabitants of the area.
Countries Affected by Saharan Dust
In mid-June, a NASA satellite detected a large dust cloud over the Atlantic Ocean. From this very day, the inhabitants of these territories began to see this dust with their own eyes.
In Venezuela, several states have been affected: Nueva Esparta, Vargas and Caracas, the capital of the South American country. Likewise, in Trinidad and Tobago, the meteorological service announced the arrival of this phenomenon in the island territory.
This caused the Ministry of Health of this country to raise an alarm, asking people with respiratory problems to take the appropriate measures. They also reported some of the symptoms that this dust could cause in people: coughing, sore throat, watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes.
The Puerto Rico Ministry of Health also expressed its concern, exhorting people with respiratory difficulties about the possible effects of this phenomenon. The call is to be attentive to health problems.
In Barbados, the meteorological service activated the corresponding alarms to notify the alert due to low visibility in navigation. At the same time, the competent authorities have urged people with respiratory problems such as asthma to take shelter and keep their medications on hand.
Other countries such as Honduras, Panama and Guatemala have been seriously affected. Concerns range from visibility in land, air and sea traffic, to the respiratory complications that this can cause; especially in times of pandemic.
What does the Sahara Dust Cloud contain?
The Saharan dust cloud will turn out to be much more dangerous than one might think. This cloud has brought with it to America a large number of agents, among them: viruses, bacteria, fungi, spores, mites, pesticides and other highly harmful chemical components. Taking this into account, it is easy to deduce that we are in the presence of a quite serious problem and that it can affect thousands of people.
To do?
The call of the experts is to be vigilant in this situation and take the pertinent precautionary measures, especially if you suffer from a respiratory condition. Some of the recommendations are:
– Wear protective glasses
– Make use of masks
– Handwashing
– Do not touch your eyes with your hands
– Dress in fairly covered clothing
– Have medicines on hand (people with asthma)
– Keep food and water well protected
It is also very important to be careful and pay special attention when driving is necessary. And, above all, do not underestimate the effects of this phenomenon.