On January 12, 2016 the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) confirmed that a sample sent for testing from the Ministry of Public Health in Guyana tested positive for the mosquito-borne Zika virus.
Public Health Minister Dr. George Norton told the National Assembly yesterday that this is the first confirmed case of the virus in Guyana.
The sample which was submitted was taken from a 27-year-old female, whose address is listed as both Rosehall, Corentyne and Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara.
The patient who presented with symptoms of fever, body rash, pain and conjunctivitis was first treated on January 2. With a fluid sample being submitted to CARPHA on January 4. Norton told Stabroek News that since the confirmation of the virus’ presence the patient has been visited by the ministry’s Epidemiological Team and the Vector Control team has recommended several measures she may follow to reduce the risk of transmission.
The Minister noted that he was not yet aware of any recent travel that the patient would’ve undertaken nor any other way that the patient may have contracted the disease but steps have been taken to prevent its transmission across the control.
“We have begun a fogging exercise and have issued public notices asking citizens to make efforts to reduce stagnant water so as to prevent mosquitoes from breeding,” Norton said.
Steps have particularly been taken to protect pregnant women from contracting this disease.
“We have sent out treated Mosquito nets to the pre-natal clinics,” Norton said.
This measure has been taken since the disease which has proven harmless in adults has been recently linked to birth abnormalities in the Americas.
PAHO/WHO explained on its website that symptoms include mild fever, rash, headaches, and non-purulent conjunctivitis, occurring about three to twelve days after the mosquito vector bite. One out of four people may develop symptoms, but in those who are affected the disease is usually mild with symptoms that can last between two and seven days. Its clinical manifestation is often similar to dengue, also a mosquito-borne illness.
Statistics from neighbouring Brazil has shown that 3,500 babies in 2015 were born with the Neurodevelopmental disorder, Microcephaly. This disorder has led to babies being born with smaller heads. It is noted that the life expectancy for individuals with microcephaly is generally reduced and the prognosis for normal brain function is poor.PAHO/WHO in its December 1, Epidemiological Alert titled The Neurological Syndrome, congenital malformations, and Zika virus infection. Implications for public health in the Americas specifically advises that Member States establish and maintain the capacity to detect and confirm Zika virus cases, prepare healthcare facilities for the possible increase in demand at all healthcare levels and specialized care for neurological syndromes, and to strengthen antenatal care. In addition, Member States should continue efforts to reduce the presence of mosquito vectors through an effective vector control strategy and public communication. The reported effects of this virus has caused the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) of the United States to consider issuing a travel warning on the Zika Virus. NBC
quotes, Dr. Lyle Petersen, who heads the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s division on diseases carried by mosquitoes and other insects and animals as saying yesterday “we are in the process of developing a travel warning not only for pregnant women, but for everybody,” said Aside from Guyana, PAHO/WHO has reported that this virus has been detected in Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela.PPP/C shadow Minister of Public Health Dr Frank Anthony is unsurprised that Zika has been detected in Guyana.
“It has been detected in our neighbouring countries so ultimately we knew it was coming. The question has always been once it got here what are we going to do about it,” Anthony told Stabroek News yesterday.
He supports the MoPH’s efforts to eradicate the vector and focus on protecting pregnant women but is concerned that these efforts are more theory that practice.
“We hear a lot of things theoretically, but it remains to be seen if it is implemented,” he said.
For Anthony an effective attack on this disease would be a “comprehensive attack” on the mosquitoes to restrict transmissions as well as a programme to educate primary care workers.
“Many in the system [health care system] may see it as just another flu but our frontline workers especially at our antenatal clinic need to understand that we need to be more vigilant. We should be aware and trainings need to be done for health care workers,” Anthony said.
