Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud told the media yesterday that the H1 N1 virus commonly known as the swine flu cannot be contracted from pigs or by using pig products.

The Minister said he was responding to persons who had called the ministry expressing their fear about the danger of being in contact with pigs and/or their products. The Agriculture Minster said that though the Ministry of Health had been doing its part to monitor the flu situation, the Agriculture Ministry had its role to play as it related to animal health and sensitising the public to adopting safe measures. He stressed that animals in Guyana were free of the H1 N1 virus.

Farmers who were also present at the meeting were concerned about the rearing of pigs. They were reassured by the Minister, however, who told them it was safe to continue their trade. He emphasised that “there is no threat to the food chain or animals. He added that it was unfortunate that the virus has been called the swine flu as it could not be contracted from pigs but rather “from person to person.”

Persaud said too that just recently the WHO had noted that instead of calling it swine flu it should be called the H1 N1 virus. 

According to the Minister, while there was a need to prevent panic, it was also important that persons were encouraged to take all necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families, and “implement a checklist of preventative measures.” He listed these as persons getting into the habit of constantly washing and sanitising their hands, and covering their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing. If these steps are taken the Minister said, “we will be on the right track.”

Speaking for both the Ministries of Health and Agriculture, Persaud emphasized that there was an adequate supply of TAMIFLU (a prescription antiviral medication that can be used to treat influenza infections) available, accommodation for cases of quarantine and a testing capacity for detecting flu.

He told the press conference that there was no need for Guyana to close its borders but did stress that there was a system of documentation in place to collect data from international travellers to find out if they were coming from flu affected areas. Additionally, he said that measures were also in place to solicit external assistance from the WHO where necessary.