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Oct 13, 2008 News
The Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the dengue situation in Guyana, following an increase in the number of cases found this year.
It was earlier reported by the ministry that over 300 cases were found.
This is the highest recorded number of cases in the country for the past 10 years.
Speaking on the situation with Kaieteur News yesterday, Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said that, in order to prevent an outbreak in Guyana, the ministry has commenced an intensive fogging exercise in Georgetown and around its outskirts.
He noted that fogging has already been completed in the community of Providence, on the East Bank of Demerara, and the ministry is now moving its attention to Georgetown.
In early November, a massive vector control program will also commence in Region Five.
As it relates to the number of reported cases, Minister Ramsammy said, the ministry has not seen a change in the numbers so far, but notes that there are a few reports coming out of Region Four.
He explained that health officials cannot figure out if the increased number of cases is as a result of more reporting, or the intense monitoring of the infection by the ministry.
However, Minister Ramsammy is convinced that most of the highlighted dengue cases are due to the increased vigilance and surveillance by the ministry.
As it relates to the role of City Hall in assisting to curb the situation, the Health Minister said, the municipality has not conducted any fogging exercise in the city for the year.
In this regard, Ramsammy said, by the end of June 2009, the Ministry of Health will try to provide the municipality with the requisite equipment in order for the municipality to execute its role.
Minister Ramsammy revealed that, as of September this year, the ministry has examined more than 120,000 containers in the vicinity of Georgetown which are packed with tyres and other materials. Of these, 5,000 were treated for larvae.
He also revealed that 30,000 homes were examined and treated by the ministry.
According to Dr Ramsammy, all of these measures are being taken to prevent an outbreak of the dengue infection in the country.
“We will not wait until there is an outbreak in Guyana to treat with it. If we know we can prevent it from happening, then we will take the necessary precautions,” Minister Ramsammy said.
He reiterated his call for persons to ensure that containers lying around in their yards are not filled with water.
Minister Ramsammy stressed that all reported cases of dengue are tracked by the Ministry of Health through a special surveillance team.
He added that one of the actions the ministry has pursued is to ensure laboratory confirmation of all reported cases. In addition, the ministry has distributed treatment guidelines to both public and private health sector practitioners, to ensure patients are receiving an adequate standard of treatment.
Where dengue cases have been identified, the minister noted, visits to the communities are done, as far as possible, to ensure advice is given.
Recommendations for families are also provided, particularly as they relate to environmental control.
Mineral and oil rich country borrowing to feed, clothe and house its citizens.
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