A Cuban doctor and a Medex are expected to be in Region One (Barima/Waini) today to provide additional support to the health workers there who are dealing with what is now most likely Acute Diarrhoeal Disease (ADD).

ADD can be triggered by a number of different agents; and according to the Regional Health Services Director, Dr Narine Singh, the probable agent is water contaminated due to improper sanitation.

ADD patients suffer from a sudden onset of frequent looseness of bowels or watery stool, usually accompanied by vomiting and fever.

Young children and older individuals are particularly vulnerable to ADD Dr Singh pointed out.

However, health workers in the area are collecting specimens that will be sent to the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) for testing to verify what is causing the sickness.

Health workers who visited the area took with them infusions and rehydration solutions to assist those who have been afflicted.

Notwithstanding the imprecise reports on the incident, the fact remains that a disease continues to affect persons in Region One (Barima/Waini).

There have been five confirmed reports of deaths by the Ministry of Health.

However, according to Singh, these deaths occurred because persons failed to seek medical attention.

ȁPersons need to seek attention and heed the medical advisories issued by their health centres and health workers,” Singh asserted.

He reaffirmed that diarrhoea is not deadly but it is imperative for treatment to be administered.

Singh explained that the disease is not an outbreak but rather an increase in the numbers of incidents that is normal during the rainy season.

The Regional Health Services Director also pointed out that compared to last year’s records, the number of cases reported then are around the same this time around.

Singh highlighted that there are four health care delivery centres in the three sub-districts of Region One.

These include the Mabaruma Hospital and the Kumaka District Hospital in sub-district one; the Port Kaituma Hospital in sub-district two; and Matthew’s Ridge Hospital in sub-district three.

Singh added that this chronic disease is likely to last for two to three weeks.