Latest update April 20th, 2024 12:59 AM
Dec 11, 2018 News
Aimed at combating threats the likes of measles and yellow fever, the Ministry of Public Health has launched a tactical surveillance campaign.
The Ministry announced the campaign Sunday by way of an advertisement in the newspapers, pointing out that the campaign is one intended to help identify any possible threats at an earlier stage. The Ministry has, moreover, cautioned travellers that when leaving and/or entering Guyana, port health officers will be looking for related signs and symptoms. These may include, among others, fever associated with rash, red eyes, swollen glands, cough, sore throat, running nose, joint pains and jaundice.
In its advisory, the Ministry said that, “if you have any of these symptoms please contact the nearest health facility immediately. Everyone from one year old who has not received two doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella [MMR] vaccine should seek vaccination at their nearest health facility.”
Based on the standards of the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation [PAHO/WHO] Measles and Rubella were eliminated from the Americas in 2016, and Yellow Fever has not been seen in Guyana since the late 1960s. According to WHO, between July and mid-October of 2017, a total of 71 suspected Yellow Fever cases were reported in São Paulo State, Brazil. Of these, two were confirmed and one turned out to be fatal, while six were investigated and 63 were eventually ruled out. Yellow Fever is said to be transmitted by mosquitoes belonging to the Aedes and Haemogogus species. Some of these mosquitoes live and breed around homes, others in jungle and some in both habitats.
Once contracted, the Yellow Fever virus incubates in the body for three to six days but, according to WHO, many people do not experience symptoms. However, it has noted that when these do occur, the most common are fever, muscle pain with prominent backache, headache, loss of appetite, and nausea or vomiting. But in most cases symptoms disappear after three to four days.
Yellow Fever Vaccine, a single lifetime dose, is mandatory for all persons from endemic areas travelling to Guyana and other at risk areas. “This should be received at least 10 days prior to travel,” PAHO/WHO has noted adding, “a yellow fever international certificate [the yellow immunisation card], is accepted recommendations as proof of coverage for international travel.”
Also, WHO has advised that all travellers over nine months old ‘going to’ or ‘travelling from’ areas with documented measles virus circulation should be fully vaccinated against measles and rubella with the MMR vaccines. The traveller who cannot demonstrate that they have been vaccinated against measles or rubella should receive the combined vaccines at least two weeks before arrival in Guyana or before travelling to neighbouring countries.
Moreover, PAHO/WHO has endorsed the Ministry of Public Health’s continued implementation of the surveillance plan to identify suspected cases of Measles, yellow fever or other disease and would like to advice, that during travel and upon arrival in Guyana please look for the relevant symptoms. “Everyone from one year old who has not received two doses of the MMR vaccine should seek vaccination at their nearest health facility,” PAHO/WHO has urged.
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
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