A special malaria detection team has been dispatched to the Omai area where there are hundreds of small-scale gold miners working in what is said to be “the number one hot spot” for the mosquito-borne disease, Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy announced on Saturday.
Dr. Ramsammy was speaking at a press briefing to update the media on several health-related issues, including yellow fever and whooping cough.
Stressing that the malaria programme has done exceedingly well over the last three years, the minister pointed out that at present there is a huge risk of a relapse because of “certain emerging situations.”
A team was instructed to go to certain areas of the country but the Omai area which is inhabited by small-scale miners, Dr. Ramsammy said, constitutes a great threat and therefore a special team has been sent to work in that area.
“This is an area that has attracted many small time miners speculating that there might still be residual gold. . . It comes with all of the risk factors of people being out in the open. It is right now the number one hot spot for malaria in Guyana,” he said.
Despite success in controlling the disease through the malaria programme, Dr. Ramsammy said that the ministry is responding to certain remote areas that are representing a threat.
He told the media that he has instructed that the national programme should not depend on the local health workers but rather lend their support to ensure that malaria in that area remains under control.
In addition to the health workers from Region Seven, Dr. Ramsammy said that health workers from Region Ten are also providing some assistance in the Omai area. But he stressed that there is no huge outbreak of malaria there but “it represents a potential site for problems.”
Responding to reports of an outbreak in Wakapau, he said the ministry has not been able to determine that but the national programme is responding by ensuring there is a team visiting those living there to ensure that things can be kept under control.
Yellow fever vaccines
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health is to receive a special shipment of yellow fever vaccines free of cost from neighbouring Brazil.
According to Dr. Ramsammy the two countries have been working together in a number of areas including health.
The Ministry of Health has been monitoring yellow fever in the region and there were outbreaks in South and Central America late last year as well as earlier this year.
Those outbreaks led to a severe shortage of vaccines on the market but according to the minister arrangements were made with Brazil, which is one of the manufacturers, to receive a special supply.
Dr. Ramsammy expressed gratitude for the gesture especially since it was provided free of cost and the neighbouring country is making their own arrangements to have it shipped here by August 26.
“This will ensure that Guyana has enough vaccines to continue our regular programme.”
Meanwhile, while stressing that there are no cases of whooping cough in Guyana, the minister said that this week there will be some focus on educating persons about this infectious bacterial disease.
He said persons from countries that have cases of whooping cough, such as in North America, may want to visit their relatives here and it could be spread to those adults and young babies who have not yet been vaccinated.
