The Ministry of Public Health says the country is ready to handle any emergence of the H1N1 virus, also known as Swine Flu, after a reported outbreak in neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago and the three deaths so far.
The ministry released a statement yesterday afternoon stating that the re-emergence of the virus in the Caribbean is a cause for great concern among public health officials throughout the region. However, it explained that Guyana has already been on a heightened alert since the discovery of the virus in south Trinidad and Tobago and the ministry, through its disease control programme, has already placed a number of measures in place to competently manage any possibility of the virus reaching these shores.
The statement quoted Minister within the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Karen Cummings as saying, “A technical multidisciplinary response which includes coordinators, and managers of emergency responses has been identified to ensure that appropriate information is available to be disseminated to those who need to know in a timely manner.”
Cummings also noted that challenges and lessons learnt from the pandemic in the Americas, including the establishment of non-pharmaceutical measures, having a vaccination strategy and ensuring strict adherence to international health regulations, are being seriously considered.
The statement added that Cummings is calling on persons to practice good hygiene, which includes washing hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol based rubs, as well as covering their mouth and nose with tissue while sneezing. She also noted that persons should avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth and also avoid close contact with persons who are suffering from Swine Flu. Persons who have not contracted the virus are expected to stay at least six feet away from infected persons.
She is also imploring persons to stay hydrated by drinking plenty fluids and to stay at home and rest to treat the fever. They should also seek advice from their primary care physician if they have contracted the virus.
Health care workers are also asked to ensure that they practice infection control and use personal protective equipment.
The Ministry added that through the Surveillance and Disease Control Department it will continue to monitor the disease as blood samples from persons suspected to be infected by the virus will be taken and sent to the Georgetown Public Health Corporation Lab for testing to ascertain whether there is a presence of the virus.
Additionally, the ministry will be working along with Port Health Officers at the borders to ensure that there is quick surveillance and detention along with rapid responses to safeguard against the spread of the virus in the country.
The common symptoms of the virus vary from non-febrile mild upper respiratory tract infection to severe pneumonia. Symptoms also include coughing, fever, sore throat, malaise and headache as well as symptoms, like nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea in 38% of cases.
Treatment includes supportive management in mild cases to hospitalisation. There is also respiratory support, as well as anti-bacteria and anti-viral treatments. The two important classes of anti-viral medications available for treatment are the Neurainidase inhibitors (Oseltamivir and Zanamivir) and Admantanes (Rimantidine and Amantidine) which should be given in the early stages, preferably within 24 hours of diagnosis.
