Local testing for the mosquito-borne chikungunya, dengue and zika in the public health sector is expected to begin shortly.
According to a GINA press release, two senior medical technologists from the National Public Health Reference Laboratory, Shameza Ally Sonaram and Johanna Vaughn, have completed training at the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) on operating equipment to test vector- borne diseases and will work along with a number of other specialist staff identified by the ministry to perform specific duties in helping them complete these tests.
Chief Medical Officer, Shamdeo Persaud, explained that the ministry took advantage of the training offered by the Trinidad-based agency. “We had the intention to build capacity level at our National Public Health Reference Laboratory, but of course you know these lab tests are very specific, and not only require special skills, operators and technicians, but also require special equipment.”
“What would happen here is that the National Public Health Reference Laboratory would be the principle testing site, and we will collect the samples from the peripheral sites and bring them in,” Persaud added.
According to the release, the Ministry of Public Health is also awaiting the arrival of ‘triple kits’ that would enable the lab to test for chikungunya, dengue and zika.
According to the release, there have been 5375 reported cases of chikungunya with 264 confirmed cases and 187 reported cases of zika with 13 confirmed cases. Dengue has been a challenge throughout the Caribbean region, but Guyana has not experienced any serious case of the illness. There are four types of dengue fever; Guyana is affected by the primary infection of type two.
Persaud also highlighted that reported cases of these vector-borne diseases have influenced the move towards facilitating local testing, the release stated.
The Ministry of Public Health continues to encourage citizens to protect themselves from being affected by vector-borne diseases by using bed nets, insect repellents and wearing long-sleeved tops or long pants.
Citizens can also prevent the breeding of mosquitoes by keeping water containers covered, disposing of stagnant water from flower vases, old tyres and other containers that might serve as breeding sites, and clear all drains and waterways of garbage and debris, the release stated.
