In assuring the Guyanese public that there is no need to panic with the number of H1N1 cases now at five, Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy has stated that the ministry is in the process of acquiring an $8M piece of equipment to enhance DNA testing that will assist in earlier identification of H1N1.

Ramsammy revealed this at a press briefing yesterday at the National Aids Programme Secretariat (NAPS), where he added that now that H1N1 is in Guyana, more focus will be placed on indigenous transmission.

The minister stated that besides continued vigilance at points of entry to Guyana, steps are being taken to expand DNA testing capacity on an open platform.

He added that Guyana has the capacity to conduct DNA testing, but this is on a “dedicated platform,” to facilitate, for example, HIV testing only.

He stated that the Ministry has secured funding via assistance given to the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) that was subsequently extended to Guyana by PAHO.

Ramsammy stated that the new technology being acquired will reduce the time between testing and results which will aid early identification.

The minister stated that to date 50 specimens have been sent to the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) for testing.

“Of the 50 specimens, 39 have returned negative, and the other 11 are still outstanding,” Ramsammy said.

The waiting period for results is between six and seven days; but the Health Minister asserted that in the meanwhile, the possible cases are treated as confirmed H1N1 cases.

However, while the confirmed cases have been traced to international contacts, Ramsammy pointed out that Guyana can expect to find cases with no external source. To this end, he stated that much more emphasis is being placed on communities in what the minister called “Backyard or household surveillance.”

Ramsammy said that with the three new cases that have been identified, approximately 500 to 1,000 persons will have to be contacted by tomorrow to ensure that H1N1 was not passed on.

He said, “With the first two cases, we contacted 900 persons who were in contact with them to ensure that there was no spread.”

In this regard, the Health Minister firmly stated that Guyanese should heed the advisories given and also ensure that they visit the doctor when they are unwell with flu-like symptoms.

The minister explained that health workers are engaged in opportunistic testing which is a strategy that eliminates people as possible H1N1 cases; and those who are not eliminated are treated as H1N1 confirmed cases while their specimens are sent to CAREC for confirmation.

“Opportunistic testing was the factor that helped us identify the three new cases,” Ramsammy said.

He asserted that the system that Guyana has in place is working, and lauded the work of private hospitals and surveillance officers.

However, he reaffirmed that persons must adhere to guidelines to prevent a spread of the disease.

Ramsammy concurred that Guyanese should continue to heed safe hygiene practices as H1N1 virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads.

The practices include:
* Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and after throwing the used tissue in the trash;

* Washing one’s hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. (Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective);

* Avoiding touching of eyes, nose or mouth as germs are easily spread this way;

* Trying to avoid close contact with sick people; and

* Staying at home if sick (AFTER VISITING THE DOCTOR) for seven days after symptoms of the illness begin, or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer.

“H1N1 has been reported in over 160 countries and it is a genuine pandemic,” Minister Ramsammy said, adding that observance of guidelines and effective strategy would contain the spread of H1N1.