Although Guyana has only recorded one case of the Zika virus, both regional and international partners have extended support to the Ministry of Public Health in the management and control of the virus, the ministry said in a statement released yesterday.
The statement was released after a meeting where Ministers and other officials from the Ministry of Public Health along with officials from the Foreign Affairs Ministry met with regional and international stakeholders to discuss collaborative efforts to fight the virus.
The meeting was held following the World Health Organization (WHO) declaration of the Zika virus being a “public health emergency of international concern.”
Among those present were UNICEF representative to Guyana and Suriname Marianne Flach; Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Audrey Jardine-Waddell; Deputy Head of Mission of the Brazilian Embassy Sabinie Popoff; and Programme Manager of Health Sector Development at Caricom Dr. Rudolph Cummings.
Minister of Public Health Dr. George Norton was reported as stressing the importance of all relevant stakeholders being involved in addressing the public health concern.
It was further related that the regional and international representatives gave assurances of their support to Guyana.
Meanwhile, Director of Vector Control Services Dr. Horace Cox was quoted as saying that very soon there will be intensified surveillance at ports of entry as well as public education material. He also stressed the importance of community participation and urged persons to prevent mosquito bites and eliminate possible breeding sites of mosquitos.
As it is, the Ministry of Public Health, through the Vector Control Services Department, currently has a schedule of fogging exercises for eight of Guyana’s 10 administrative regions, with the remaining two regions being added soon. House-to-house activities and the distribution of mosquito nets are also currently ongoing.
The Zika virus is transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti and Aedes polynesiensis mosquitos and, therefore, the Ministry is continuously advising members of the public to avoid being bitten by wearing light colored clothing covering their body, arms and legs, applying insect repellent to exposed parts of the body and using household insecticide sprays, coils and candles.
Additionally, it says all efforts should be made to control possible breeding sites around the home, such as open black tanks, tires, plant containers and other vessels which harbour fresh water.
The Zika virus is considered a self-limiting disease, with symptoms lasting four to seven days. It appears as a very moderate disease, with fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, rash and sometimes swelling of the limbs. Some persons may also experience vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
Pregnant women, especially are advised to sleep under a mosquito net, since the Zika virus causes some abnormalities in developing fetuses.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, during a press conference held last Friday, explained that the virus was recorded in Americas less than a year ago in neighbouring Brazil. However, the virus has since then spread to about 24 countries, including Guyana.
He noted that actual signs and symptoms of Zika are very similar to other febrile illnesses and includes or is associated with headaches, joint and muscle pains and conjunctivitis, while in some rare instances the virus can lead to neuromuscular problems as a sequel in adults.
On the other hand, women who would have been infected during the early stages of pregnancy can have some damage done to the developing foetus, which can result in a neurodevelopmental disorder known as Microcephaly, where the neurological system inclusive of the brain may not develop as it should.
