…surveillance boosted at ports, technical multi-disciplinary response assembled

THE re-emergence of the H1N1 (Swine Flu) in the Caribbean Region is cause for great concern among public health officials throughout the Region, but Guyana has already been on heightened alert since the discovery of the H1N1 virus in neighboring Trinidad and Tobago.

The Ministry of Public Health through its disease control programme, has already placed a number measures in place to competently manage any eventuality of the virus reaching Guyana, a release from the ministry said. According to Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, “A technical multi-disciplinary response which includes coordinators and managers of emergency responses, has been identified to ensure that appropriate information is available to be disseminated to those who need to know in a timely manner. Challenges and lessons learnt from the pandemic in the Americas included the establishment of non-pharmaceutical measures, having a vaccination strategy and paying strict account of international health regulations are being taken into serious consideration.”

Commensurate with public health risks will be the avoidance of unnecessary interference with international travel. “The idea is to prevent delays, especially in phases five and six of the influenza. Phase one to three predominantly dealing with animal infection and few human infections; Phase four where there is sustained human-to-human infections, and phase five and six with widespread human infection,” Minister Cummings said.

The common symptoms of the H1N1 virus vary from non-febrile mild upper respiratory tract infection to severe pneumonia. There can be a cough, fever, sore throat, malaise and headache and constitutional symptoms like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea in 38 per cent of cases.

Treatment includes supportive management in mild cases to hospitalisation. There is also respiratory support, as well as anti-bacteria and anti-viral treatments. The two important classes of anti-viral medications available for treatment are the Neurainidase inhibitors (Oseltamivir and Zanamivir) and Admantanes (Rimantidine and Amantidine) and which should be given in the early stages preferably within 24 hours of diagnosis.

The Ministry of Public Health is calling on each person to practice good hygiene – wash hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based rubs and to cover your mouth and nose with tissue when sneezing or coughing. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth and avoid close contact – you are expected to be about six feet away from a person suffering from the H1N1 virus.

Persons are being advised to drink plenty fluids, stay at home and rest to treat the fever and see your primary care physician should they contract the virus. Healthcare workers are asked to ensure that they practice infection control and use personal protective equipment.
The Ministry of Public Health through the Surveillance and Disease Control Department will continue to monitor this disease. Blood samples of persons suspected to have contracted H1N1 will be taken and sent to the Georgetown Public Health Corporation Lab for testing to ascertain the presence of the virus. The Ministry of Public Health will also be working with port health officers at our borders as Guyana remains alert to ensure that there is timely surveillance and detention along with rapid response to guard against the spread of H1N1 in Guyana.