Given the urgency and the consequences with with the infection of the Zika Virus comes it was deemed a public health emergency. With no sure way of diagnosis, it is a common issue for doctors to effectively treat a person who might actually be infected with the virus. The mainstay of diagnosis is all based on symptoms so is the treatment. We know what the usual symptoms are so the diagnosis is made through these. There is also no specific cure so whatever symptoms the patient is suffering from, such is the treatment. For example, a patient who presents with fever will be treated for a fever.
Soon, we will be able to kknow for sure if a person is suffering from Zika as testing for the virus will be done at local laboratories within the next three weeks. This information was disclosed by the Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, during this week’s post Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency, yesterday.
According to Minister, they are aware that there has been quite a number of reported Zika Virus infections in Guyana. It is with this in mind that every effort is being made by the Ministry of Public Health to address this issue. In particular more focused is being placed on protocols used to deal with pregnant mothers affected by the virus. This is because the virus poses a serious threat to the unborn babies of these mothers. They can be born with abnormally small heads, called microcephaly which is a potentially dangerous disorder.
The virus is spread by the Aedes type mosquito which also transmits Chikungunya and Dengue.
