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No new Chikungunya cases confirmed
– as Health Ministry prepares to conduct scientific study on vector
Although there have been some reports circulating that the Chikungunya virus has been detected in the capital city, health officials have assured that no such case has thus far been confirmed.
Vector Control Director, Reyaud Rahman
According to Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud, there have been suspected cases reported from a number of locations, but to date none has been confirmed outside of Berbice, Region Six. The number of confirmed cases, he said, remains at 14, all of which were detected in sections of that Region.
This state of affairs has been corroborated by Director of Vector Control Services, Dr Reyaud Rahman, who disclosed that the intensified vector control efforts that have been engaged, appear to be yielding results.
This publication was able to confirm that several samples, amounting to just over 80, taken from patients with flu-like symptoms complemented with fever, have been deemed void of the virus by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). Also, reports are that in excess of 150 samples have since been sent to CARPHA to ascertain their status.
In the meantime, the Vector Control Unit of the Health Ministry has been directing much effort towards training vector control workers in Regions Five and Six to build capacity in those regions.
As part of its ongoing effort, the Health Ministry has been working in collaboration with a number of organisations including the Civil Defence Commission (CDC). Moreover, Dr Rahman was yesterday tasked with delivering a presentation to CDC officials about the prevention methods, control and treatment of the virus.
Also, Dr Rahman disclosed that efforts have been directed towards a capturing process, whereby mosquito larvae are caught to facilitate entomology or a scientific study. This process, according to the Vector Control Director, is one that is expected to “give us a lot of feedback.” According to him, it will especially aid the technical efforts of the Vector Control Unit, since it would be used to carry out studies to ensure that the insecticide being used to combat the vector is of good quality, among other things.
The Chikungunya virus is spread by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito which is also responsible for transmitting dengue fever.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud
This mosquito is known to be prevalent along the coast.
Moreover, since the threat of the virus surfaced in the Caribbean during the latter part of last year, the local Health Ministry had embraced a proactive stance whereby vector control activities were considerably increased.
But while most were expecting that the virus would strike in the city, the Health Ministry announced that its two first cases, and all others since, were confirmed in the Berbice area instead.
Soon after, a 10-member team of Vector Control officers, led by Dr Rahman, was dispatched to manage a vector control strategic action plan in Berbice. This tactical undertaking was especially designed to suppress the virus and ensure that it does not spread outside of Region Six.
Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran, had however told this publication that it would not be unexpected for the virus to spread to other parts of the country, as people are continually travelling in and out of the affected Region. He however noted that the ideal situation would be to ensure that it is contained.
Moreover, he disclosed that the Ministry is appealing to persons to not venture into the affected areas, for the time being, in order to reduce the spread of the virus. This tactic has been recommended, the Health Minister said, in light of the fact that those infected have been found to be ‘common contacts’ which is in fact a classical way that vector-borne diseases are spread.
Cases of the virus have thus far been confirmed in Canje, Port Mourant and New Amsterdam, all in Region Six.
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