After visiting more than a dozen villages over two days, a team of health workers from the Ministry of Health and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has reported no case of measles in Region One (Barima-Waini).
The team visited Region One following an outbreak of measles in neighbouring Venezuela and what the Ministry said was a misleading newspaper report of a similar kind in Barima/Waini communities.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud, who was part of the team, said it is the Ministry’s intention to ensure that all Guyanese are fully immunised against measles and other contagious diseases.
“We are using this opportunity for people who may have had vaccine many years ago or cannot remember, to re-immunize as we continue vaccinating the children,” Dr Persaud was quoted by the Ministry as stating.
The Ministry and PAHO will also strengthen the nation’s surveillance system to help detect any cross-border introduction of measles to Guyana and ensure rapid and effective response by the authorities.
In 2016, Guyana along with the other countries in the Region of the Americas was certified as measles and rubella free having had no confirmed case of either disease for over 15 years.
According to the Health Ministry, there are 105 surveillance sites across the Ten Administrative Regions which provide weekly reports on “rash with fever” which are characteristic of measles. All suspected cases are identified, interviewed and blood samples sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency fortesting.
Guyana’s international partners are supporting the country’s ongoing efforts “to help keep out the entrance of Measles,” Dr Ertenisa Hamilton, Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Officer was quoted by the Ministry as stating.
Dr Vishal Ramjas, the acting Regional Health Officer in Region One said the illegal cross-border movement of Venezuelans means they are not subjected to “appropriate monitoring…or medical screening.”
The increasing number of persons now needing daily consumption of drugs and access to medical services throughout the Barima/Waini area “will strain the financial stability within theRegion,” Ramjas warned in a recent correspondence to Dr Kay Shako, the Regional HealthServices (RHS) Director.
Ramjas explained that the presence of the undocumented Venezuelans in Region One is a “potential public health threat.” “We intend to target high-risk areas where there is an influx of Venezuelans,” Ramjas explained.
