Georgetown : The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has confirmed 12 more cases of chikungunya, from samples which were taken from East Berbice, leading the Ministry of Health to intensify emphasis on vector control activities in the area.
Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran told the Government Information Agency (GINA), that the discovery was made after 130 blood samples were sent to the CARPHA in Trinidad for testing. The samples were sent after these individuals showed signs of the illness.
He said the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud established a case definition for the illness based on which the hospitals took samples of individuals who fit the case definition, and sent them to the institute to be tested.
An additional 82 suspected cases have been identified by the New Amsterdam Hospital as they suit the case definition.
The 12 other cases are reported to be from New Amsterdam and Port Mourant, indicating that the disease has now spread even further across the Region.
Chikungunya virus is an arthropod-borne virus that is transmitted to humans by virus-carrying Aedes Aegypti mosquito. It is transmitted similarly to dengue fever and causes an illness with an acute febrile phase lasting two to five days.
It can result in some long-term effects primarily joint pain, and causes moderate to severe illness. Depending on an individual’s body reaction after the incubation period, persons may experience pain even after seeking medical attention. This period can last from two to six days with symptoms lasting four to seven days after infection.
Individuals experiencing any such symptoms are asked to visit a health facility as soon as possible. Individuals are also asked to remove all containers that may retain water and breed mosquitoes.
