Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06GEORGETOWN122
2006-02-03 18:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Georgetown
Cable title:  

Update on Leptospirosis in Guyana

Tags:  TBIO EAID CASC PGOV GY CDC 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS GEORGETOWN 000122 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12590: N/A
TAGS: TBIO EAID CASC PGOV GY CDC
SUBJECT: Update on Leptospirosis in Guyana

REF: (A) GEORGETOWN 70, (B) GEORGETOWN 59,

(C) GEORGETOWN 58, (D) GEORGETOWN 53,
(E) GEORGETOWN 45, (F) GEORGETOWN 41


UNCLAS GEORGETOWN 000122

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12590: N/A
TAGS: TBIO EAID CASC PGOV GY CDC
SUBJECT: Update on Leptospirosis in Guyana

REF: (A) GEORGETOWN 70, (B) GEORGETOWN 59,

(C) GEORGETOWN 58, (D) GEORGETOWN 53,
(E) GEORGETOWN 45, (F) GEORGETOWN 41



1. Leptospirosis is considered endemic in Guyana. In January
2005 during catastrophic flooding Guyana experienced an
outbreak of the disease far above baseline levels with 65
laboratory -confirmed cases and more than 200 additional
suspected cases.


2. Increasing numbers of cases clinically consistent with
leptospirosis have been reported in Guyana since Nov 2005.
Rapid testing is available in country but is not utilized
for all cases and no validation testing has been performed.
Current case estimates according to the Ministry of Health
are:

Suspected cases: 63

Confirmed cases: 18

Deaths: 2 confirmed, 6 additional suspected


3. Surveillance numbers are not consistent with those
reported by clinical facilities, and the Director of Disease
Control has requested assistance in clarifying these issues.


4. At the request of the Minister of Health, CDC is sending
a technical team to assist in investigation and response to
this new cluster of cases. The team will include Dr. Eric
Stern, medical epidemiologist and Epidemic Intelligence
Service Officer and Renee Galloway, laboratory specialist,
Meningitis and Special Pathogens Branch, CDC. They arrived
in country Thursday Feb 2nd and anticipate a 2-3 week stay.
Their work will be facilitated by the CDC GAP Guyana Office.


5. They will initially assess clinical, laboratory, and
public health responses to the situation and assist the
government of Guyana in handling this outbreak and
establishing a system for response to leptospirosis
outbreaks in the future, as this will likely be a long-term
issue in Guyana.

BULLEN