Director of the National Public Health Reference Laboratory, Dr. Colin Roach, told the Guyana Chronicle that the sampling load for H1N1 is low, but maintained that monitoring of the situation is ongoing.
“This virus, like other flu viruses, is seasonal; and while there are not much samples being tested, we are prepared in the event of an outbreak,” he said.
One of the more significant mechanisms put in place by the Ministry of Health to address the H1N1 situation in Guyana is the acquisition of new equipment for testing for H1N1, costing some $8M.
It is installed at the laboratory and Roach said in the last month, no Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) samples have been tested.
“Doctors are supposed to continue monitoring; and through the office of the Chief Medical Officer, some additional awareness will be done to remind the doctors to keep this ongoing,” he said.
The lab’s Director said the equipment has the ability to test on several platforms, or test for different things, and made it clear that it will take time to make maximum use of the equipment.
He said, “No other tests have been done yet, but tuberculosis and the human papilloma virus are tests that will be introduced soon.”
Roach explained that the introduction of tests is not simple; rather certain logistics have to be considered to ensure that testing can be done on a sustainable basis.
Until then, he said the H1N1 will be continuously monitored.
The H1N1 virus spreads like the seasonal flu and persons are encouraged to adhere to health advisories.