Health authorities in Guyana denied an outbreak of measles in the Region One (Barima-Waini) area describing the reports as “false.”
“We have no measles in Region One. Claims are erroneous.” A government statement quoted the Director of Maternal and Child Health, Dr. Ertensia Hamilton.
Reports misinterpreted
Hamilton said that reports forwarded to senior regional officials may have been misinterpreted, thereby giving the incorrect impression that there may be an outbreak in the region.
She explained there’ a measles outbreak in neighboring Venezuela, however, health officials in Region One have been monitoring the situation and preparing for any eventuality.
Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, confirmed that the government had not received any report detailing an outbreak. She noted there may be an increase in the number of Brazilians and Venezuelans seeking healthcare in the bordering communities’ health facilities. She, however, assured these persons are treated, since healthcare services in Guyana are free.
Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. The first sign of the ailment is usually a high fever, which begins about 10 to 12 days after exposure to the virus and lasts fort to seven days.
Measles eliminated in 2016
In 2016, the Pan American World Health Organization (PAHO) declared the Americas as the first region in the world to have eliminated the disease.
Measles was the fifth vaccine-preventable disease to be eliminated from the Americas, after the regional eradication of smallpox in 1971, poliomyelitis in 1994, and rubella and congenital rubella syndrome in 2015.
Cases have since reappeared since the collapse of basic health services in Venezuela, due to that country’s economic situation.
