Guyana has acquired the PRC equipment to test for H1N1 which is currently being installed at the National Public Health Lab and according to Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy routine testing for the virus could start in a few months.
Testing for the feared influenza virus could take another few months, the Minister said yesterday, but training for technicians in the health sector to use the equipment will begin as early as next week. Ramsammy said a period of about one month of local testing will take place when the training has wrapped up, but the specimens would be sent abroad to verify that “our technicians have reached proficiency level”.
He said it is also critical to send the specimens abroad to ensure that the equipment here is working at an appropriate level. The equipment was secured from the US using PEPFAR funds, but the actual procurement was done by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).
Ramsammy told Stabroek News that when they are satisfied the testing in Guyana is of a high quality they will begin to do routine testing in Guyana and that results would be available in “over a day or two”.
To date 17 cases of H1N1 have been confirmed in Guyana, but according to the Minister there has not been any new detection in recent days. He said that of the 123 specimens that have been sent out, 114 results have been received while the others are pending.
“Guyana remains on high alert for the virus and we are aware that neighbouring countries have recorded deaths, but there has been none here. If there is a death we would not attempt to conceal any such information from the public”, the Minister said.
However, he noted that it is only a matter of time before a death from the virus is recorded here.
Daily Surveillance Reporting with a special focus on influenza-type illnesses is ongoing at all hospitals, Ramsammy said while noting that routine activities continue at the airports and all other ports of entry in the country. Symptoms of ‘swine flu’ in people are similar to those of regular or seasonal flu and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some with ‘swine flu’ also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
A good story. Keep up the good work, Minister Ramsammy.Barbados, where there have been several reported deaths from the virus, have long had to send blood overseas for testing , though the authorities in the island are also doing an excellent job in getting a handle on this health problem……
It is so hard to listen to anything coming out of the mouth of Minister Ramsammy. The media has given this man a pass in light of the surfaced paper trail that links him to illicit involvement with the Roger Khan affair.
How does the minister feel about the change in the extradition law?
Folks:
There are a bunch of ignorant people here, please educate yourself and stay with the topic especially Bismattie (duh)! Below is a guide. H1N1 has arrived!
Please pass this on to family and friends. Especially people with children!
H1N1 flu is about to be upon us and we need to be on top of information regarding it. Here is a comparison to the normal cold symptoms .
Know the Difference between a Cold and H1N1 Flu Symptoms:
Symptom Cold H1N1 Flu
Fever Fever is rare with a cold. Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the H1N1 flu.
Coughing A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold. A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the H1N1 flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
Aches Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold. Severe aches and pains are common with the H1N1 flu.
Stuffy Nose Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week. Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu.
Chills Chills are uncommon with a cold. 60% of people who have the H1N1 flu experience chills.
Tiredness Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold. Tiredness is moderate to severe with the H1N1 flu.
Sneezing Sneezing is commonly present with a cold. Sneezing is not common with the H1N1 flu.
Sudden Symptoms Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. The H1N1 flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Headache A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold. A headache is very common with the H1N1 flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore Throat Sore throat is commonly present with a cold. Sore throat is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu.
Chest Discomfort Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold. Chest discomfort is often severe with the H1N1 flu.
The only way to stop the spread of the epidemic is to spread the awareness.
With the filth and general unhygienic conditions prevalent in Guyana the populace most likely has acquired a robust immune system to ward off the ravages of this disease. This is one case of the government profiting from the dire situation the country faces. The government must be congratulated for its advanced thinking and projections.
Provisions for a better quality of life/care of our people is what good governance is all about. This development is good even though it is so long after the initial cycle of the virus.
I will be more satisfied when our professionals are empowered to be at the cutting edge of research and practice of both traditional and alternative medicine.This will only be achieved with tangible support for UG and incentives for research work by practitioners throughout health sector.
Just remember no touching, no handshaking not even chest bumping, nothing. I think I am going to stop taking communion in church.
WHEN I SEE IT, I AM GOING TO BELIEVE IT. I SIMPLY DO NOT BELIEVE ANYTHING THE POLITICIANS IN GUYANA SAY. WHILE THE GOVERNMENT CLAIM TO BE “IMPROVING”, THEY ARE STILL AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL. MR MINISTER, YOU DO REALIZE THAT ELECTRICITY IS NEEDED HERE, DON’T YOU?
YESTERDAY ABC NEWS REPORTS: US DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH SWINE FLU VACCINES TO GO AROUND. REPORTS OF PEOPLE DYING FROM SWINE FLU AROUND THE US. SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!