Chikungunya virus hits Georgetown

Jun 17, 2014 News

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– as Health Ministry beefs up fogging in city

After weeks of battling to contain it to sections of Berbice, Guyana has recorded its first case of the Chikungunya virus in the capital city. This publication has been reliably informed that the mosquito-borne virus, which was first detected in Canje, Berbice, has made its way to West Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

The infected victim, this publication understands is a 28-year-old male who was found to be exhibiting symptoms of the virus.  Suspecting that the young man had contracted the virus, local health officials made the informed decision of sending a sample of his blood to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Laboratory in Trinidad for testing. CARPHA, this publication understands, was able to confirm that the virus had infiltrated the young man’s system.
The young man is at home battling his symptoms with keen attention and support from health officials.
This publication however understands that the Health Ministry is not yet in receipt of the confirmatory results from the Trinidad based laboratory.
The first two cases of the virus were confirmed a few weeks ago, and soon after 12 more suspected cases were validated by CARPHA. All of the cases were found in sections of Berbice, Region Six.
The Health Ministry had commenced intense vector control activities, particularly in the city, even before the discovery of the virus here. Moves were also initiated, through awareness campaigns, to encourage residents to embrace good environmental practices with a view of reducing potential breeding grounds for the mosquito vector.
The Chikungunya virus, like dengue fever, is transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which is known to thrive in relatively fresh water. Its symptoms include fever and protracted muscle and joint pains. And since there is no vaccine or treatment for the virus, patient management is focused on relieving symptoms.
The virus was first detected in the Caribbean during the latter part of last year and the local Health Ministry in its quest to combat the virus, had even procured millions of dollars in fogging machines to help tackle the looming challenge. Other strategies employed by the Ministry were increased surveillance across the country and monitoring of the Ports of Entry.
Following the detection of the virus, Health Minister, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran had urged that persons, as far as possible, refrain from travelling to the affected sections of Berbice, which at the time included Canje, Port Mourant and New Amsterdam. He had intimated to this publication that while the ideal situation would be to contain the virus to the affected areas, such an ambitious expectation may not be realistic.
Late yesterday, the Vector Control Services Department of the Ministry issued a statement informing that fogging for vector control will be conducted in identified communities. According to the statement, “these fogging exercises will kill the adult mosquitoes which carry mosquito borne diseases.”
Further it was noted that “to ensure that the fogging exercise is most effective, residents in the targeted communities are reminded to open their windows to allow the fog mist into buildings to kill the adult mosquitoes.” And to avoid any health problems, residents are also reminded to cover all drinking water and secure all food stuff (uncooked and cooked) to prevent possible contamination, secure all domestic animals and poultry and keep persons who suffer from asthmatic conditions, young children and the elderly away from the direct flow of fog mist.
The continued fogging exercise is slated to commence from today at 05:30 hours (5am) and continue at 22:30 (10:30 pm) daily.
With West Ruimveldt topping the list, the fogging exercise will start in areas including: East Ruimveldt, Alexander Village, East La Penitence, Castello Housing Scheme, Tucville, South Ruimveldt, North Ruimveldt, Roxanne Burnham Gardens, West Ruimveldt, Laing Avenue and West La Penitence.
Tomorrow (Wednesday, June 18) the fogging activity will continue in North East La Penitence, Meadow Brook Gardens, Durban Backlands, Lodge, Albouystown, Charlestown, Werk-en-Rust and Wortmanville.
And then on Thursday, June 19, vector control workers will head to the areas of Lacytown, Stabroek, Bourda, Cummingsburg, Alberttown, Queenstown and Newtown to continue the vector control activities.
Additional fogging will be conducted on Friday, June 20, in Campbellville, Prashad Nagar, Bel Air, Bel Air Springs, Subryanville and Kitty, and plans to continue on Saturday, June 21, will see the areas of North Sophia, South Sophia and Kingston being fogged.
According to the Ministry residents must keep in mind that since vector control is a partnership “residents are encouraged to keep their yards clean by removing all empty containers that can accumulate water to breed mosquitoes. Citizens are also urged to always sleep under mosquito nets so as to prevent mosquito borne diseases.”

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