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THE teams of health officials visiting communities in Region ONE where an outbreak of gastroenteritis has been reported, continued their awareness campaign, educating residents on measures to prevent contracting the water-borne illness. Yesterday the communities of Mc Doom and Pittsburg, both located in Port Kaituma, were visited by the teams. These communities have reported that there are a few affected persons.
The team comprising Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, Regional Health Officer, Dr. Nigel Langhorne, and representatives of the Guyana Red Cross Society, PAHO/WHO, Civil Defence Commission and the Guyana Water Incorporated continued their campaign.
On Sunday, they visited Canal Bank, located along the Kaituma River, with a population of 880, and depend mainly on the river water during the dry season for washing, cooking and drinking. The water has been contaminated due to mining, logging and improper disposal of human and solid waste. This community has been affected the most with approximately 200 cases reported to date.
Residents of all the communities visited were given Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS), bleach and jerry cans, and a full demonstration on how these items should be used.
The Ministry of Health is continuously working to control the illness which was picked up about a month ago, and claimed the lives of two infants from Canal Bank and one from Four Mile.
Dr. Persaud charged the residents to take heed of the warning given to them, because very often persons are reluctant to comply and this can put them or their families at risk. He also encouraged them to check with the health post as soon as they observe any signs or symptoms of vomiting and or diarrhoea.
He also advised residents to refrain from buying drugs, and to instead check with the hospital and use prescribed medications.
Also on Sunday, they were in Four Mile which has a population of 762 and has reported 13 cases. This community depends on a solar powered well which, when tested, also showed contamination.
Five outreaches were done by health officers and the Guyana Red Cross Society over the past month to monitor the situation and educate residents on ways to prevent the illness.
Dr. Persaud, during his current visit, instilled in residents the need to follow the prescribed measures carefully, because thus far their community is one of the least affected.
He urged mothers with babies six months and younger to continue breast feeding so as to protect their offspring.
On Saturday, Sebai community, which has a solar powered well, which was also contaminated, was visited by the team, while on Friday they visited the Port Kaituma Primary and Secondary Schools, and conducted sensitisation sessions with the students based on improved hygiene practices and on ways and means to prevent gastro from affecting them.
The students were given an in-depth demonstration on health practices, including washing of the hands and purifying water before use.
The Guyana Red Cross Society is also working in the communities, assisting residents to build proper washroom facilities, cleaning of water tanks, and distributing soap and bleach, while encouraging them to be mindful of healthy practices.
The residents expressed gratitude to government and others entities for their rapid response to the communities.
The CMO has been charged with forming a taskforce to address the outbreak that includes representatives of the Ministries of Local Government, Amerindian Affairs, Education, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association and the Forest Producers Association.
The team recognised that the illness was caused by the turbidity of the Sebai river water, and as such, mining operations were issued with a cease work notice until measures are put in place to address the health situation.
Samples of water taken from wells and the river were tested and proved to be unacceptable as the contamination was extensive. The organisms identified were e.coli and fecal poly-forms. (GINA)
The team comprising Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, Regional Health Officer, Dr. Nigel Langhorne, and representatives of the Guyana Red Cross Society, PAHO/WHO, Civil Defence Commission and the Guyana Water Incorporated continued their campaign.
On Sunday, they visited Canal Bank, located along the Kaituma River, with a population of 880, and depend mainly on the river water during the dry season for washing, cooking and drinking. The water has been contaminated due to mining, logging and improper disposal of human and solid waste. This community has been affected the most with approximately 200 cases reported to date.
Residents of all the communities visited were given Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS), bleach and jerry cans, and a full demonstration on how these items should be used.
The Ministry of Health is continuously working to control the illness which was picked up about a month ago, and claimed the lives of two infants from Canal Bank and one from Four Mile.
Dr. Persaud charged the residents to take heed of the warning given to them, because very often persons are reluctant to comply and this can put them or their families at risk. He also encouraged them to check with the health post as soon as they observe any signs or symptoms of vomiting and or diarrhoea.
He also advised residents to refrain from buying drugs, and to instead check with the hospital and use prescribed medications.
Also on Sunday, they were in Four Mile which has a population of 762 and has reported 13 cases. This community depends on a solar powered well which, when tested, also showed contamination.
Five outreaches were done by health officers and the Guyana Red Cross Society over the past month to monitor the situation and educate residents on ways to prevent the illness.
Dr. Persaud, during his current visit, instilled in residents the need to follow the prescribed measures carefully, because thus far their community is one of the least affected.
He urged mothers with babies six months and younger to continue breast feeding so as to protect their offspring.
On Saturday, Sebai community, which has a solar powered well, which was also contaminated, was visited by the team, while on Friday they visited the Port Kaituma Primary and Secondary Schools, and conducted sensitisation sessions with the students based on improved hygiene practices and on ways and means to prevent gastro from affecting them.
The students were given an in-depth demonstration on health practices, including washing of the hands and purifying water before use.
The Guyana Red Cross Society is also working in the communities, assisting residents to build proper washroom facilities, cleaning of water tanks, and distributing soap and bleach, while encouraging them to be mindful of healthy practices.
The residents expressed gratitude to government and others entities for their rapid response to the communities.
The CMO has been charged with forming a taskforce to address the outbreak that includes representatives of the Ministries of Local Government, Amerindian Affairs, Education, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association and the Forest Producers Association.
The team recognised that the illness was caused by the turbidity of the Sebai river water, and as such, mining operations were issued with a cease work notice until measures are put in place to address the health situation.
Samples of water taken from wells and the river were tested and proved to be unacceptable as the contamination was extensive. The organisms identified were e.coli and fecal poly-forms. (GINA)
