Given the rapidly rising chikungunya figures, Environmental Commun-ity Health Organisation (ECHO) Executive Director Royston King is calling for action on the stagnant drains in the city, which he is blaming for outbreaks in depressed areas.
Asked to name the communities, King told Stabroek News that he did not wish for them to be publicised because of fears of stigma.
He, however, maintained that stagnant water across Georgetown is causing outbreaks of the viral disease in the depressed areas and as a result there is a need to urgently address the issue of the city’s poor drainage. He said stagnant water is an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes, and given the current health situation mosquito larvae needed to be killed so as to prevent them from metamorphosing into adult mosquitoes, which can transmit the virus.
He said that instead of fogging communities to kill the adult mosquitoes, health authorities should focus on eradicating the larvae.
Recently, Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud said there were nearly 2,000 suspected cases of chikungunya in Guyana. He said the amount might be higher since there were many unreported cases.
King also stated that the fogging exercises across the city were drawing complaints from certain residents. He said he received complaints from residents in certain communities that they were unaware of when health authorities would fog their areas while some residents suffered respiratory problems. He said most of the affected residents were senior citizens and children.
He added that statistics on the spread of the virus should be shared among concerned sectors and non-governmental organisations so that the issue can benefit from a multi-sectoral response. “Chikungunya is affecting the integrity of our public health and the figures are very worrying since it can begin to affect the country’s economy,” he noted.
King said there was a need for more public awareness. “Given the increased figures they should increase public awareness in every community,” he added.
Chikungunya, a viral disease carried by the aedes aegypti mosquito, is marked by severe joint pains, muscle pains, sudden high fever, headaches and rashes. The disease is similar to dengue fever and usually surfaces between four to seven days after a bite from an infected mosquito. It lasts for three to 10 days.
