Ministry cautions against non-essential travel to Mexico
In the event that there is an outbreak of the Influenza A (HINI), ‘swine flu’ in Guyana the West Demerara Regional Hospital will be used for surge capacity and to quarantine infected patients, a statement from the Ministry of Health said on Thursday evening.
The ministry said routine activities at the airport are continuing as they relate to port health and while travel has not been restricted the ministry is warning that more intrusive plans are on the cards to protect the nation’s borders if necessary. Airlines have since been written to by the ministry to remind them of their obligations under the International Health Regulations as it relates to the Aircraft Health Declaration and to inform them that this will be enforced.
In light of the World Health Organisation’s decision to raise the Pandemic Preparedness to Phase 5 the Ministry of Health is advising that only essential travel to Mexico be undertaken and that all other travel be deferred. The Ministry is also advising that travel to the US be done with caution and travellers are urged to pay special attention to all advisories and warnings of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Department of Health and Human Services in the US.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy held the first in a series of meetings with the Pandemic Committee, which had also focused on SARS and Avian Flu, to update the committee on the national action plan as it relates to the disease.
The committee, the statement said, comprises representatives from a number of non-governmental organisations, line ministries and international and donor agencies, including PAHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, CDC and USAID who are once again lending support to the ministry’s efforts.
Daily Syndromic Surveillance Reporting with a special focus on influenza type illnesses has commenced at all hospitals and responders who were trained during the Avian Flu situation have been activated and are ready to take action should the need arise, the statement said.
Moreover, Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud continues to maintain daily direct contact with his counterparts in Brazil, Suriname and Venezuela.
And the ministry once again reminded that Guyana has about 20,000 doses available to treat the flu and should the need for more arise, the critical decision of whether to utilize Guyana’s ability to produce Tamiflu will be made.
The World Health Organisation has reported that 11 countries have officially reported 257 cases of the flu with Mexico reporting more than 150 suspected cases.
Swine flu is a respiratory viral infection with one of several types of Influenza A virus including the H1N1 currently causing concern in North America among pigs. Occasionally these viruses can spread to humans, especially persons in close contact with live pigs (pig farmers, butchers etc) and may cause moderate to severe illness. The current elevation of swine flu to a level 5 epidemic means that several countries are now experiencing human to human transmission.
Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food so a person cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products are safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills bacteria and viruses that may be preset.
Symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to those of regular or seasonal flu and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Precautions
The ministry is advising persons to:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Discard used tissue safely in a covered bin.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Direct all persons who are sick to seek medical attention.
• If you get sick, please seek medical attention immediately at the nearest health facility. Public and private hospitals around Guyana are open 24 hours, seven days per week and health centres operate during working hours on weekdays.
Persons are also advised to limit the frequency of visits to patients in hospitals and the ministry said that only where it is absolutely necessary should persons make such hospital visits. Children should not be taken to the hospitals during such visits.
