THE Pan American Health Organisation /World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), in a bid to engage the media, yesterday held a ‘Brown Bag Meeting’ at its Brickdam office.The idea was to bring media operatives up to speed on what is happening here and elsewhere in regard to the Zika virus and suicide.

Country Representative Dr. William Adu-Krow, through a Power-point presentation, gave a progress report on the outbreak of the zika virus here. Besides noting that Guyana has so far recorded five confirmed cases of the virus, Dr. Adu-Krow said that between February 2014 and March 2016, a total of 33 countries and territories in the Americas have reported having confirmed circulation of the zika virus.

Dr. Adu-Krow spoke about the origin of the virus and its signs and symptoms, particularly the fact that through bodily fluids it can be transmitted from mother to child, blood transfusion, and through sexual intercourse. He, however, noted that, most importantly, it is caused by mosquitoes.

He also talked about the care and treatment of persons infected with the zika virus, and what measures can be taken to prevent its transmission.

His colleague, Dr. Jorge Balseiro Estevez, spoke on the subject of suicide in Guyana, and what has been done in terms of research at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) from 2012 to date.

While he did not go into statistics or the root cause, Dr Estevez said that a study conducted last year at Baramita in Region 1 (Barima-Waini) revealed that the area has had it fair share of suicide cases.

The doctor added that psychological autopsy was also done by a team as a tool to profile suicidal behaviour in Guyana.

Representatives from both the print and broadcast media participated in yesterday’s exercise.