Dear Editor,
Over the past few weeks I have been conducting research on some social issues in Region Six, Berbice. My field research brought me into contact with numerous individuals from various walks of life. I was, however, surprised by some unexpected findings that had nothing to do with my research. I found out that the chikungunya virus is more widespread than gas been reported in the local news.
My driver and his wife who picked me up at the airport had the virus; the grocery store owner from whom I purchased my groceries had the virus; the carpenters we hired to work on the house had the virus; the taxi driver and some passengers had the virus; some of the guys who hang out at rum shops had the virus; everywhere I went someone had the virus. I can say with some level of confidence that a substantial number has been infected with chikungunya, or what the locals call ‘chicken.’ More staggering is that if the situation remains the way it is then by next year at this time the chikungunya infection could go up to substantial levels. The basic complaint is that the public hospitals do not have enough supplies to treat everyone. The private doctors charge about $5000 dollars which many individuals cannot afford.
What is puzzling is the lack of knowledge of chikungunya. No one knows about the long term effects of the virus. They are not sure if they could be re-infected. Finally, no one in the realm of power seems to care. Welcome to Berbice.
Yours faithfully,
Lomarsh Roopnarine
