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Mystery killer disease…Guyana still awaiting confirmation from Venezuela

Aug 22, 2008 News

Guyana has still not been officially notified by Venezuela about the mysterious killer disease in the neighbouring country, which is said to have killed at least 38 indigenous people.

Earlier this month, there were reports of the mystery illness and health officials are still to officially confirm what the illness is.

Some researchers are of the belief that it may have been from rabies caused by bats. The disease is said to have occurred in a specific tribe called the Warrau, which is a close province to Guyana.

Speaking with Kaieteur News yesterday, Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said that to date, Venezuela has not informed Guyana of the incident, as is stipulated in the National Health Regulations.

As such, Minister Ramsammy has written to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Minister of Health in Venezuela and the focal point for International Health Regulations as it relates to the incident and is awaiting a response.

Minister Ramsammy said that the incident has still not been confirmed, and it is not yet known if these people are dead for sure.

However, not taking chances, Dr. Ramsammy said that strict monitoring and surveillance are still being done at the border between Guyana and Venezuela and in Region One, Barima/Waini.

He noted that monitoring is being done by the health officials for rabies, something which he says has not been reported in that area for years.

Minister Ramsammy said that as for long as the incident remains unconfirmed, the Health
Ministry will continue to monitor the situation.

Symptoms of the mystery illness include fever, malaise, thirst, tingling in feet, followed by gradual paralysis, convulsions and stupor, and finally death.

All of these are connected with rabies.

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