Home > NEWS > Guyana joins regional battle against mosquito-borne disease, chikungunya Guyana joins regional battle against mosquito-borne disease, chikungunya Guyana joins regional battle against mosquito-borne disease, chikungunya February 21, 2014 GUYANA has joined a regional battle against chikungunya, a mosquito-borne disease, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shamdeo Persaud said on Wednesday. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shamdeo Persaud Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shamdeo Persaud While there have been no reported cases in Guyana, he said authorities would be waging a war against mosquitoes and be on the alert for persons complaining of symptoms. “The ministry is coordinating with all stakeholders both locally and regionally to ensure that coordinated efforts are implemented to prevent and mitigate the effects of chikungunya on the Guyanese population. Heightened efforts will concentrate on vector control, epidemiology and surveillance, laboratory detection of cases as well as the clinical management of cases,” Dr Persaud is quoted as saying in a statement released by the Ministry of Health. The chief medical officer explained that the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which transmits dengue, also transmits chikungunya. He said there is no vaccine or treatment for chikungunya. “We do emphasise the need for the public to recognise that their role is pivotal for the prevention and control of chikungunya,” he added. Chikungunya is a viral disease, carried mainly by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito and causes a dengue-like sickness. Symptoms include a sudden high fever, severe pain in the wrists, ankles or knuckles, muscle pain, headache, nausea, and rash. Joint pain and stiffness are more common with chikungunya than with dengue. The symptoms appear between four to seven days after the bite of an infected mosquito. The majority of clinical signs and symptoms last three to 10 days, but joint pain may persist longer. Severe cases requiring hospitalisation are rare. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry is advising persons with those symptoms to seek urgent medical attention. “Members of the public who might be experiencing these symptoms or know of someone experiencing these symptoms are encouraged to seek medical assistance from the nearest health facility,” said the chief medical officer. The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) was informed of 10 locally transmitted, confirmed cases of chikungunya on the French side of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin on December 12, 2013. The World Health Organization – International Health Regulations (WHO-IHR) confirmed that a new viral infection was actively being transmitted in the Caribbean and poses a threat to health. Since then more than 1,400 confirmed cases have been reported, from Anguilla (1 case), Aruba (1 case), British Virgin Islands (5 cases), Dominica (4 cases), French Guiana (4 cases), Guadeloupe (175 cases), Martinique (518 cases), St. Barthelemy (83 cases), Saint Maarten (65 cases) and St. Martin (601 cases). One confirmed death was reported in St. Martin. The Health Ministry is urging Guyanese to take the necessary steps to help prevent mosquito breeding and bites by that insect by taking the following precautions: • Eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites indoors and outdoors. • Keeping water drums and barrels tightly covered. • Disposing of stagnant water from flower vases, old tyres, and other containers that might act as breeding sites. • Ensuring waterways and drains are not blocked with debris and remain free-flowing. • Protect yourself from mosquito bites by using bed nets, insect repellent and long-sleeved shirts and long pants. (By Alex Wayne)
Posted on: Sat, 22 Feb 2014 11:28:55 +0000
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