The Ministry of Health has sent blood samples from two persons for testing overseas to determine whether they have been infected with the H1N1 virus.
The Ministry, in a press statement last evening said that it has intensified its surveillance for influenza-like cases in an effort to ensure early diagnosis of the H1N1 virus in Guyana and the exercise has detected two cases which are related to travel experiences.
Both cases were detected at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre on the East Bank of Demerara. Blood samples from the two persons have been drawn and are being sent overseas for further tests, the Ministry said.
It noted that there is no confirmation at this time that the two cases are H1N1, but the move represents part of the Ministry’s Heightened Suspicion Index for the disease.
“The Ministry will continue to test persons who meet the criteria for the suspicion index, who have history of illnesses and those who would have traveled to countries where the H1NI virus was detected”, the statement said.
Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy cautioned persons against unnecessary worrying, while assuring that his ministry is keeping a close watch on the movement of the disease and continues to do everything in its power to delay the appearance of the H1N1 virus in Guyana. While there have been calls to the Health Ministry regarding cases of the H1N1 virus in Berbice, the stringent surveillance system has failed to identify such, the release asserted.
The Ministry wishes to caution persons against listening to rumours regarding the disease which could result in panic. The Ministry will keep the public informed on the developments on a daily basis, the statement said.
