[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has confirmed 12 more cases of chikungunya, from samples which were taken from East Berbice, leading the Ministry of Health to intensify emphasis on vector control activities in the area.
According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), the discovery was made after 130 blood samples were sent to the CARPHA in Trinidad for testing. The samples were sent after these individuals showed signs of the illness.
It was noted that Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud established a case definition for the illness based on which the hospitals took samples of individuals who fit the case definition, and sent them to the institute to be tested.
An additional 82 suspected cases have been identified by the New Amsterdam Hospital as they suit the case definition. The 12 other cases are reported to be from New Amsterdam and Port Mourant, indicating that the disease has now spread even further across the Region.
Prior to this confirmation, two cases were found, one in a toddler, and another in a woman who is said to be in her forties, from Cumberland and Canefield, Canje, Region Six.
This resulted in the Ministry heightening its Vector Control Services (VCS) in the Region placing emphasis on fogging and spraying. These efforts will now be further enhanced, through an expansion in the team and more work done with regards to spraying and fogging.
Director of Vector Control Services Dr. Reyaud Rahman said the team which is currently in Region Six is fully equipped and has also been involved in mist blowing and abatement in the Region.
[Extracted and Modified from GINA]
