Canada has warned travellers to the Caribbean to protect themselves from mosquito bites as the spread of the Chikungunya disease continues across the Region.

“Consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic at least six weeks before you travel,” said the Public Health Agency of Canada in its latest travel update on the virus.

In Guyana, the virus continues to spread and a number of persons have been confirmed with the illness. The Vector Control Services Director has been encouraging persons to burry cans, bottles and other containers that can collect water, and advised that reservoirs should be covered.

The virus was first discovered in the Caribbean on December 23, 2013 in St Martin and has since become a worry for the Caribbean. Since then, local transmission has been identified in 17 countries or territories in the Caribbean or South America, namely Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, The Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guyana (South America), Haiti, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Saint Maarten.

As of May 30, a total of 103,018 suspected and 4406 laboratory confirmed Chikungunya cases had been reported from these areas. More than 95 per cent of the cases have been reported from five jurisdictions: The Dominican Republic (38,656 cases); Martinique (30,715); Guadeloupe (24,428); Haiti (6318); and Saint Martin (4113).

Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran on Wednesday reported that the discovery in Berbice was made after 130 blood samples were sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), in Trinidad, for testing. Apart from the positive samples which have been returned, an additional 82 suspected cases have been identified by the New Amsterdam Hospital and have been sent for testing.

Meanwhile, scores of persons have been visiting hospitals in the region with symptoms similar to those of Chikungunya.