Fears grow over spread of Chikungunya in Berbice

There are growing reports of the spread of the mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus in Berbice, while at least two cases have been confirmed at Liliendaal and Plaisance, both on the East Coast of Demerara

Although confirmed cases doubled in the last few weeks to 62, there are fears that the figure may be more than what is being reported.

A resident of Albion, Berbice yesterday told Stabroek News that hundreds of people were lining up at the hospital to be treated. She said people were travelling from Crabwood Creek and West Coast Berbice to visit the New Amsterdam Hospital.

She said people were so desperate to get treatment that they were spending their money on injections to relieve the pains. She indicated that doctors with private practices were charging people $5,000 to administer an injection that is believed to bring relief.

But their relief is short-lived because after a few hours, she said, the pains and fever return. She further stated that pharmacies were selling the injections for $3,000.

When it was put to her that the Health Ministry had warned civilians about being fooled that an injection could rid the virus, she admitted that she was unaware. “If the Ministry of Health told them not to, then they are ignoring the ministry,” she stated.

“These people were grasping at anything that could help them but it eventually wears off in a few hours,” the woman added.

Meanwhile, a resident of Prince William Street, Plaisance said her daughter had contracted the virus two weeks ago. “I’m shock that it hasn’t spread all over Guyana because of the condition of Guyana. I expected worse!” she said, adding that her daughter started experiencing pains first before developing a hot fever. “Then she started to get rashes and