Toilets solve epilepsy epidemic?

SE Asia (MNN) — This might sound odd, but did you know toilets can save lives?

There's a worm in Southeast Asia that enters the human brain and causes seizures. It's a disease called NCC epilepsy, and it's the leading cause of epilepsy deaths in the developing world.

According to the Baylor University Medical Center, irrigating vegetables with contaminated water, consuming infected pork, and coming in direct contact with disease carriers all result in high rates of infection.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says 40 million of the 50 million people with epilepsy worldwide live in developing countries. Most NCC infections occur in Latin America, China, some parts of Africa, and Southeast Asia, including India and Nepal.

A 2009 article published in the South African Medical Journal says NCC "can only be controlled and eradicated by improving living and sanitary conditions." Baptist Global Response is doing just that in Southeast Asia.

BGR partners are both building and promoting household toilets. These everyday household items reduce infection rates in affected villages and improve general health.

Pray that villagers will catch the vision and that more toilets will be installed.

BGR's healthcare ministry does more than care for physical needs. All around the world, Southern Baptists are bringing physical, mental, and spiritual wholeness to hurting individuals in Jesus' name.

Learn more about projects like this one and how you can get involved by clicking here.