Opposition Member of Parliament, Dr. Karen Cummings has warned that the country is heading towards a public health crisis, if the government does not step up its fight against Dengue fever, which has seen a spike in the country over the past month.

During an Opposition press conference today, Dr. Cummings, who is a Medical Doctor by profession, said the situation demands that the Government provides the statistics about vector borne illness and urgently try to avert the situation which is on the border of becoming a crisis.

“With approximately 3,453 persons in Guyana contracting the vector borne illness and 2,169 of the cases remaining active; with the developing events of the recent deaths of two (2) children, ages 9 and 11, who were treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) intensive care unit; and with the rise of cases of Dengue at a steady pace – Guyana seems to be heading towards a public health crisis. It must be further noted that two weeks ago Region Six recorded in excess of 107 cases of Dengue with 24 cases in twenty-four (24) hours according to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC),” Dr. Cummings said as she urges the government to step up its monitoring.

Dr. Cummings, said recent statements from the Ministry of Health do not inspire confidence in the ability of the Ministry to address the fears of citizens, since it appears as though the Ministry is attempting to deny the reality of the situation.

“It is very unfortunate that the Advisor to the Minister of Health had said that one or two cases a day is not a phenomenal number but has failed to recognize that 90 to 95 percent of persons with Dengue may have symptoms and do not feel the need to seek medical care. It is the 5 – 10 percent of persons who visit the hospital whose conditions will progress to severe Dengue manifested by haemorrhage and shock or severe organ involvement.” Dr. Cummings noted.

The Opposition MP is urging citizens to keep their surroundings clean, seek urgent care if they feel they have symptoms of dengue, and follow the necessary precautions in order to stem the spread of the disease.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the Dengue infection accounts for 2.5 million cases globally.

The general symptoms of include high fever, severe headaches, muscle and joint pains and rashes as well as difficulties breathing.   

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