OFFICERS of the Joint Services have been sensitised about issues relative to the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa, the ensuing implications for the rest of the world, and the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) approach to preparing for any possible outbreak of the disease in Guyana.

Sensitisation sessions were held at Base Camp Ayanganna, Thomas Lands, on the night of Friday, October 24, at the GDF Officers Mess; and on Monday, October 27, at the GDF Medical Corps.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO), MOH, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud made the presentations, speaking to the nature of the Ebola virus, and presented some background regarding this latest outbreak in the West African nations of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, where some 9,500 cases of infection have been reported, with 4,880 deaths recorded to date.

MINISTRY’S PLAN

Addressing the Ministry’s plan to deal with any possible outbreak of Ebola in Guyana, Dr Persaud said that the focus will be on keeping the Ebola virus out of Guyana. In this regard he said the plan caters for co-ordination and control, monitoring points of entry into Guyana, establishing a regime for clinical management of suspected and actual cases of Ebola, laboratory diagnosis, and establishing a robust information, education and communication programme.

He indicated that regional committees are being set up with Sub-Committees tasked with looking into specific priority areas. Dr. Persaud also offered advice on steps to be taken to help to protect oneself from the virus.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsarran provided very informative responses to questions posed by the officers during a very spirited and all encompassing discussion session. He spoke about the value of research in strategically tackling health issues such as Ebola and Government’s plan to deal with infection by the Ebola virus and other viral diseases. He further expressed the hope that similar engagements with the Joint Services could become a permanent feature in its Diary of Events.

The Heads of Services agreed that the MOH’s presentation was timely, given the topical nature of the issue and the real-time existence of an Ebola outbreak which has the potential to devastate human populations, if the relevant safeguards are not taken.
Chairman of the Joint Services, Brigadier General Mark Phillips, said that the Joint Services will collaborate with the Ministry of Health on this issue and stand ready to provide assistance in whatever form it is needed.
SYMPTOMS
According to available scientific evidence, a person infected with the Ebola virus can suffer the following symptoms: systemic fever, lack of appetite, internal bleeding, muscular aches and weakness, joint pains, diarrhea, stomach pain and vomiting, develop skin rashes and bleeding through the skin, hiccups, sore throat, difficulty breathing and swallowing.

Additionally, an infected person may not appear immediately symptomatic, since the virus could gestate in the body for as long as a 21-day period, before any symptoms become apparent. One of the surest symptoms is the sudden onset of a very high fever that continues to get worse.