A visit to all the Health Centers in Guyana will confirm that hundreds are visiting every single day for medication.

The corrupt PPP/C are without a clue.

For weeks and even months now this corrupt Government has been downplaying the warning that it has been receiving, from concerned Guyanese, today a visit to the PHG in Georgetown, it is like a visit to the US Embassy for Visas.

The Minister of health should be in jail, for inaction to this health crisis.

Govt should intensify Chikungunya

fight – APNU

APNU MP, Dr George Norton

The Government should be more proactive and intensify the fight against the spread of Chikungunya and other vector-borne diseases, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP), Dr Karen Cummings said.

The APNU MP and parliamentary colleague, Dr George Norton, accused the Government of adopting a position that displays complacency during the coalition’s weekly press briefing on Friday.

It was claimed that the Government was aware of the pending outbreak of Chikungunya and had maintained that it was prepared to deal with the mosquito-borne disease. However, APNU charged, the public later found out that this was not the case, as the Health Ministry lacked the human resources capacity to operate some of the requisite machinery that were pivotal to the fight.

Nineteen persons have been confirmed as having the Chikungunya virus, while scores more were tested after the virus was first detected in Berbice.

Obvious de-emphasis

APNU MP, Dr Karen Cummings

“The emergence and re-emergence [of the disease] can be attributed to complacency and an obvious de-emphasis on a public health problem, the failure of the health structure to adequately manage this menace, diversion of financial support to other areas and the apparent use of a few drugs and insecticides as a quick-fix method contributed to the exacerbation on display,” Dr Cummings said.

The doctor also cited a slew of other contributory factors that have led to the current problem, including climate change, but she noted that attention must also be placed on proper waste disposal/management infrastructure in Guyana.

For the Government to go about effectively tackling the issue, immense focus must be placed on training health personnel in the detection of vector-borne diseases, the development of “robust health facilities” and adequate public education to inform the public of the perils of being infected with the disease and ways to prevent such, Dr Cummings lamented on Friday.

Also urging Government to boost preventative efforts in this regard was Dr Norton, who contended that the proposed idea of a quarantine would not be effective given, Guyana’s situation.

Further, he called on Government to focus on all vector-borne diseases as they continue to be significant threats to human life.

“APNU reasserts that it is the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration’s responsibility to protect the population from these diseases. The PPP/C must explain why, even in places where mosquitoes were eliminated decades ago, vector-borne diseases are re-emerging,” the Shadow Health Minister said.

 

Intensified fogging

However, Director of the Vector Control Services Department of the Health Ministry, Dr Reyaud Rahaman on Tuesday told Guyana Times that the Ministry will intensify its fogging exercises in identified communities across Georgetown. He said that the fogging exercises are aimed at killing the adult mosquitoes which are the carriers of the virus.

The Director is advising residents to keep their windows open when the fogging is in progress so that the mist can infiltrate their homes, thus killing the mosquitoes within and curbing the spread of the virus.

He is also advising that in an effort to avoid the risks of health complications as a result of the fogging exercises, residents exercise caution by covering water and securing all food items (uncooked and cooked) to prevent contamination; securing all domestic animals and poultry and keeping asthmatic persons, young children and the elderly away from the direct flow of the fog.

The continued fogging initiative commenced on Tuesday and is expected to continue during the hours of 05:00h and 22:30h daily.

West Ruimveldt, East Ruimveldt, Alexander Village, East La Penitence, Tucville, South Ruimveldt, North Ruimveldt, Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Laing Avenue, North East La Penitence, Meadow Brook Gardens, Durban Backlands, Lodge, Albouystown, Charlestown, Werk-en-Rust and Wortmanville are among the areas that have already been fogged.

The fogging initiative is expected to continue today in South and North Sophia, Prashad Nagar and surrounding communities.

Are you serious? Since when they jail people for doing nothing?

Think of the many hundreds of thousands of people suffering in Guyana right now, because of this dont care attitude Minister of Health and incompetetent and Corrupt PPP/C, and then ask me if I am serious,

This Minister Beri Beri has no clue and if the has no clue, he is just bullshitting around drawing down taxpayers money under false pretence, in my book it is called thieving.

As I am writing now, overseas visitors are visiting from Queens NY and they have contracted this diseases, now they are flying to Trinidad and Tobago to get some treatment...........and you are asking me if I am serious.

Fear grows over spread of Chikungunya virus

The Chikungunya virus is being spread by the aedes aegypti mosquito

A senior official of the Health Ministry says the Chikungunya virus is rapidly spreading, moving from Berbice and now infecting people across the country.

“The virus has moved from the Region Six, Berbice, Canje area; it has indeed begun to spread and it is just time before other parts of the country become fully affected. It has begun to spread, it is spreading and it only will get worse… just give it some time,” the official said.

Though there are only 31 confirmed cases thus far, it was noted that this does not necessarily reflect the true extent of the affected persons in the country since many may still be unaware of the virus, or may have not yet accessed medical treatment.

“The numbers will definitely be increasing; there is no doubt about that, like I said, just give it some time,” the Health Ministry official declared.

Opposition Leader David Granger had said: “The Government knows very well what’s happening, why you think it’s fogging, it’s fogging late.”

He told media operatives at a recent A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) press conference on Friday that while some may think that a crisis is looming, the catastrophe is already here.

“Only when the Health Minister was put on the spot then he admitted that the results from lab in Trinidad started to show increasing threat,” Granger said.

 

Spread

Following the discovery of the first Georgetown victim, who hails from the North Ruimveldt area, Dr Ramsaran had stated that the virus was restricted to the Berbice area and the victim was infected due to the fact that he had worked in the affected areas in Berbice.

He had rebuffed claims that the vector borne disease had spread to the other regions. Previously, there were 19 confirmed cases. However, 12 other cases were confirmed on Tuesday afternoon following the return of the samples which were sent for testing at the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad and Tobago.

Of the 150 samples which were sent to be tested for confirmation of the vector-borne disease, 12 thus far were positive. Seven of the 12 additional confirmed cases of the vector-borne disease, Chikungunya, are said to originate from other places outside of the affected Canje, Berbice area.

According to the information received by this publication, the Chikungunya virus has made its way to other parts of the country with confirmed cases coming from the capital city, Georgetown and other parts of Region Four, as well as Regions Three and Five.

According to the official, three cases have been recorded in West Berbice, Bush Lot, Bath Settlement and Number Nine Village; one each from Ithaca and Mahaicony; one from North Ruimveldt; and one from Crane, West Coast Demerara, Region Three.

While these cases would have been recorded out of the initial affected areas, it is still unclear whether these individuals were visitors to the areas or whether the virus has been spreading despite the efforts to restrict it to the Ancient County since the data is being analysed by Government Epidemiologist, Morris Edwards.

And so today this sickness has taken on Epidemic Proporation and  the Corrupt PPP/C has no clue.

You are speaking of Chikungunya here. There is no cure for this disease. There is relief for the symptoms. The government does dispense panadol for free. One of my neighbours contracted the disease and she was unable to go to the doctor for treatment(she is a vendor at the market). She told me that she took panadol for a week and the symptoms went away. People can help stop the rapid spread of this disease by keeping their surroundings clean. STOP DUMPING ALL YOUR GARBAGE ANYWHERE YOU FEEL LIKE.

I don't know of HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE SUFFERING HEALTH PROBLEMS. You are talking about 20-25% of the population here. I know lots of people are suffering from diabetes. They do have free medication and counseling to help.

If you are going to appear like you do not know anything about this epidemic then I am wasting my time with you.

According to you there is "no cure" but visitors who are stricken with this disease has been going to Trinidad and Tobago and getting treatment and flying home to the USA.

I still maintained that the Corrupt PPP/C has no clue. They are like bugs on the back of the working class in Guyana.

Canada warns citizens against

Chikungunya spread in Caribbean

US travellers to Caribbean alerted  on Chikungunya virus

The Chikungunya virus is transmitted by aedes egypti mosquitoes

Atlanta’s Centre for Disease Control (CDC) is advising US travellers to the Caribbean to protect themselves from mosquito bites, in light of the raging chikungunya virus there.

The warning was issued at the start of the summer vacation period when travel to the Region increases.

According to news reports over the weekend, the viral illness has surfaced across the US carried by recent travellers to the Caribbean.

The virus is transmitted by aedes egypti mosquitoes and there is no vaccine for the illness.

While the virus does not typically lead to death, conditions can become debilitating. Symptoms can become emphasised and dangerous for adults over 65, newborns and individuals who already have health issues like diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure. Most common symptoms are fever and joint pain as well as headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. Joint pain can take up to a few months or longer for full recovery.

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) last week reported that the number of confirmed and suspected cases rose to 135,651, up from just over 100,000 on June 2.  The virus has been detected in 20 Caribbean countries and territories, with the largest outbreak in The Dominican Republic.

CARPHA said travellers to the following Caribbean islands are at risk of getting chikungunya: Anguilla, Antigua, British Virgin Island, Dominica, The Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia, St Martin, St Vincent and the Grenadines and St Maarten (Dutch). The Dominican Republic has had more than 77,000 suspected cases since January, including 20,000 new suspected cases in the last week.

Confirmed cases were reported in North Carolina, Nebraska and Indiana last week. Florida with 25 cases has the majority in the US, according to the CDC.

Trinadad and Tobago (TT) Health Minister Fuad Khan said his country has been working hard to prevent the virus from coming to his country.

“The reason TT hasn’t gotten Chikungunya yet is because a lot of work is being done by agencies, including the Insect Vector Unit and others, to try to control mosquito spread. TT can stay free of this if we keep doing the right things…Use insect repellant or citronella oil. Check water storage units or your plants daily. If necessary, call the Insect Vector Control Unit and they’ll come and spray,” he added.

Travellers to Africa, Asia, and islands in the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific are also at risk as the virus is present in many of these areas.

Doctors mentioned above are encouraging people with  symptoms such as high fevers above 39 degrees with associated joint pain, and back pain, muscle pain, any form of rash to seek medical attention because early intervention can prevent complications from occurring.

Suffice to say, that there are little or no medications to help the many thousands in Guyana.

It is the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration’s responsibility to protect the population from these diseases. The PPP/C must explain why, even in places where mosquitoes were eliminated decades ago, vector-borne diseases are re-emerging,”

Comrade, do some research before you start misleading people like "dem obeah man in Guyana". I was in Guyana for more than a month and spoke to people who have contracted the disease. It's the same thing I posted before.

Here's what the CDC says about the disease:

Treatment

• There is no medicine to treat chikungunya virus infection or disease.
• Decrease the symptoms:
  • Get plenty of rest
  • Drink fluids to prevent dehydration
  • Take medicines, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen, or paracetamol, to relieve fever and pain.

Just a few days ago:

Guyana still can’t test for Chikungunya virus – CMO warns

“Don’t let anyone fool you; we can’t do the test,” insisted Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo, as he commented on the advice being reportedly offered by some medical professionals that testing for the Chikungunya virus can be done here. According to Dr. Persaud, the Chikungunya test cannot be done at any health facility in Guyana. He pointed out too that Guyana is still relying on the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad to do all testing of its blood samples. Guyana with the support of the Pan American Health Organisation, is currently working on having personnel of the National Reference Laboratory trained to utilise the equipment available there to conduct the test. But according to Dr. Persaud, testing may not always be necessary. He pointed out that “you don’t need to go testing regularly all the time.” He therefore explained that persons with symptoms of the virus could in fact be treated with panadol which can help to appease fever and pains associated with the condition. Intensified symptoms, he added, could be treated with ibuprofen or fever injections.  “There are things you can use to treat the symptoms but there is no fancy antibiotic or any other thing to fight Chikungunya,” said Dr. Persaud even as he insisted that persons should not be fooled into thinking that there is any cure for the virus. He went on to emphasise that while symptomatic treatment is especially important in helping to deal with infected persons, great focus must also be placed on reducing the prevalence of the virus which is believed to have invaded many sections of the country. As part of its efforts to deal with the virus efforts have been made by the Health Ministry to do fogging and residual spraying with chemicals but according to the CMO, who claims he isn’t an advocate for the use of chemicals, “removing the breeding sites of the mosquito could be even more effective.” Moreover, he is adamant that persons should be seeking to help tackle the public health challenge by simply ensuring that the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, the transmitting vector, is not able to thrive in bodies of water in their environment. He explained that the mosquito is able to breed in containers or locations that hold water that can be considered relatively clean. He disclosed that even water in vases should be changed at least every three days while tanks, drums and other containers of potable water should be securely covered to prevent access to the vector. Such measures, according to Dr. Persaud, could prove effective in helping to reduce the impact of the virus which can easily multiply in as little as seven days. The virus which is manifested within a few days after infection is characterised by symptoms including headache, nausea, skin rash, high fever and muscle and joint pains. The latter pains can prove to be quite debilitating over a prolonged period. Reports out of the Health Ministry suggest that there are just over 70 confirmed cases of the virus but there are an even greater number of suspected cases among members of the population. The virus, which was first detected in Canje, East Berbice, Region Six, has since been confirmed in other areas of the country including Regions Three, Four, Five and 10, Dr. Persaud said. According to him too, at least three confirmed cases in Region 10 have been categorised as imported cases, as they are not believed to have occurred in that section of the country but were rather caused by travel to infected areas.

Mits,

I agree they cannot determine whether one has the disease or not. Some private doctors just take the money and give them a shot(for what, I don't know) They just treat the symptoms with pain killers for now. I know of people who had the symptoms and did not go to the doctor; yet they recovered. Not cured.

ibuprofen -- a very effective medication. One of the major advantages over other similar medication is that Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal drug.

D_G Guy,

Asj seems to think that the Guyana government should have cured this disease by now. He wants to send the Health Minister to jail for doing nothing. I wonder if he ever considered sending the US congress to jail for doing nothing. After all this is where he pays his taxes.

Nobody expect the Guyanese government to discover a cure, or to even administer medical treatment. That's not the job of the government.

What the government can do is to allocate finances to public health information on radio, TV, internet, etc. Next to be addressed is the cleaning of those blocked up waterways. They are a breeding ground for the mosquitoes close to where humans live. The Public Works department can start pulling its fingers out to get that done.

And let us not forget the cleaning up of the drugs ordering and distribution system. It is rife with corruption, but brings very little benefits for the sums spent.

Skeldon_Man:

The esteemed gentleman probably has a myopic view on himself being the sole focus of attention.

The people need to stop dumping garbage verywhere. They dump their garbage before daybreak so they do not get caught.

D-G, you have stop peeping up your poop chute. The meds you mentioned are not available. Doctors are charging minimum $5,000 for a shot of who knows what.

Whatever happened at the meeting between President Ramotar and Asj must have been a tragic life changing event for him. Never seen a more biased individual who at the drop of a hat blames one particular person. He gives me the impression that if he and President Ramotar were passing in a dark alley and he has a piece 2 by 4, he would harm the president without any remorse. That's just my impression of him. I might be wrong.

From all indication of his postings on the forum, you might be correct.

Also, it indeed seems to be an exceptional change after receiving word from President Donald Ramotar.

Dr George Norton, accused the Government of adopting a position that displays complacency during the coalition’s weekly press briefing on Friday.

It was claimed that the Government was aware of the pending outbreak of Chikungunya and had maintained that it was prepared to deal with the mosquito-borne disease. However, APNU charged, the public later found out that this was not the case, as the Health Ministry lacked the human resources capacity to operate some of the requisite machinery that were pivotal to the fight.

Seems like Dr Beri Beri is in hiding, can you imagine that you have a Health Minister and another non offical is calling the shots.

This is the Corrupt PPP/C for you.

Only as Lord of his personal fantasy world.

Some People just dont gives a rats ass to the immense sufferings of thousands of Guyanese, who has been taken down by this mosquitoes bourne sickness, people has now been dying (not in the hundreds or the thousands) but people has been dying...........and yet we have some animals, jackasses who come here and try to be insultive.........to posts that is meant to attrack some attention from the relevant authorities.

DG is just around the corner before he kicks the bucket, he should have some sort of understanding that there is thousands of sick people in Guyana that looks foward for some medication to give him/her some ease in the pains  that he/she is going through.........Scumbags of the Earth, they will always be there.

Cool it down there Mr. Asj. We all care about people and want to see people in good health. There is medication for this disease and it's being distributed for free by the government. Other nations with this disease are still struggling to control the disease. Guyanese need to dispose of their garbage properly.

Originally Posted by Demerara_Guy:

Originally Posted by skeldon_man:

Originally Posted by Demerara_Guy:

Originally Posted by skeldon_man:

Originally Posted by asj:

If you are going to appear like you do not know anything about this epidemic then I am wasting my time with you.

 

According to you there is "no cure" but visitors who are stricken with this disease has been going to Trinidad and Tobago and getting treatment and flying home to the USA.

 

I still maintained that the Corrupt PPP/C has no clue. They are like bugs on the back of the working class in Guyana.

Comrade, do some research before you start misleading people like "dem obeah man in Guyana". I was in Guyana for more than a month and spoke to people who have contracted the disease. It's the same thing I posted before.

Here's what the CDC says about the disease:

Treatment

• There is no medicine to treat chikungunya virus infection or disease.
• Decrease the symptoms:
  • Get plenty of rest
  • Drink fluids to prevent dehydration
  • Take medicines, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen, or paracetamol, to relieve fever and pain.

ibuprofen -- a very effective medication. One of the major advantages over other similar medication is that Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal drug.

D_G Guy,

Asj seems to think that the Guyana government should have cured this disease by now. He wants to send the Health Minister to jail for doing nothing. I wonder if he ever considered sending the US congress to jail for doing nothing. After all this is where he pays his taxes.

Only as Lord of his personal fantasy world.

Demerara_Guy

          Indiana Jones

 

Are you a skonthole or you do not understand English Language, the moderator says not to spam the board with your silly repititions, no wonder an ******** like you used to kiss Burnham Ass

 

Go and take your frigging medication, and get out of my face you ass whole.

Usual continued expressions of nonsense and blatant lies which you hold on to dearly as life savers.

Another long winded expression of nonsense.

Dear Editor,

The government’s response to the scourge of chikungunya has been inadequate if at all existent.

According to my research, this mosquito-borne disease is severe, debilitating and life-threatening. According to the scientists, the symptoms begin within a few days of being bitten by an infected mosquito. The acute phase is characterised by fever, diarrhoea, vomiting and extreme bone and joint pain, during which normal activity is impossible. Following this, there is a prolonged period of joint pain that may last for months in healthy individuals, or years, in elderly or infirm patients. Clearly, this disease can cause loss of productivity as a result of great disability in those affected. Evidently, a robust and effective official response is essential.

My own experience with chikungunya has been exceedingly painful, and totally debilitating. My resulting visit to the public health institutions have revealed an overwhelming number of patients; I could not wait for treatment, I had to seek private medical attention.

Yet, where are the fogging exercises that could reduce the number of mosquitoes? Where are the advertisements and public announcements to encourage the use of mosquito repellent? Where are the mosquito nets to reduce infection? Where are our tax dollars going?

Why are we suffering and only given panadol at the public hospitals?

One other matter: if I, a grown man, was completely incapacitated by chikungunya for over two weeks, what is the effect of this disease on the elderly? And if an infant is infected, what are the effects? How many infants have died from chikungunya?

Yours faithfully,

Mark DaCosta

After a bout of cussing the Corrupt PPP/C, This is what they can come up with

GUYANA TO TEST PERSONS ENTERING THE COUNTRY

It will be of interest to note if Moderator Raymond, responsible for the Political Forum, will exercise his prerogative on the esteemed Moderator ASJ to ensure that the following must be posted with articles, especially from news media:

1. name of the source;

2. reference source;

3. date;

2. etc., etc., etc..