No new cases of Chikungunya in Guyana – Health Minister

By Kurt Campbell

[www.inewsguyana.com] – There have been no new reports of the mosquito borne disease Chikungunya in Guyana, according to Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran.

He told iNews (www.inewsguyna.com) that the figure still stands at 31 for lab confirmed cases of the diseases.

“There has been no new confirmation coming out of the lab in Trinidad,” Ramsaran said. He did observe however that more persons are visiting hospitals in region six with symptoms but assured that hospitals there are equipped with adequate medication to treat with complaints.

The disease was confirmed in the Caribbean several months ago and so far some Caribbean countries have recorded hundreds of cases with dozens of deaths.

In Guyana, the Chikungunya virus has spread from region six where it was first detected to other parts of the country with seven of the 12 newly confirmed cases emanating from Regions 3, 4, 5 and the City.

On July 1 upon receiving the results of samples that were sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad and Tobago, it was confirmed that the disease has spread. The 12 more cases of the mosquito- borne disease have brought the total number of cases to 31 thus far.

According to GINA, at the moment, it is unknown whether these individuals contracted the disease in Berbice where it first originated, however, Dr. Morris Edwards, epidemiologist is analysing the data.

Prior to these, there were 19 confirmed cases, all originating from the Canje, Berbice area, in Region Six. In late May Guyana recorded it first cases, a toddler and a woman in her forties, both from the Canje area.

Minister Ramsaran has reiterated the need to ensure the environment is clean.