The Ministry of Health has confirmed the first two cases of the H1N1 flu in Guyana.
A release from the Health Ministry said that “at 2 pm on Saturday, July 4, Guyana reported to the International Health Regulation Focal Point at the World Health Organisation (WHO)” that these cases have been identified.
Read on..According to a release, the two persons afflicted are residents of Georgetown who were believed to have been infected by contact with visitors from outside the country. The release stated that in both cases, these visitors left the country without seeking medical attention in Guyana.
However, the two persons who were identified as the country’s first two cases sought medical attention at private hospitals. On confirmation of their test results they were both contacted and treated for HINI.
Other family members and other contacts in the last two weeks have been also contacted and are being monitored by the Health Ministry’s surveillance team. The ministry expressed confidence that its “surveillance programme is capable of containing the spread of the virus”.
Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy had warned last month that the H1N1 flu would arrive in Guyana, after neighbouring countries had discovered it. At the time the minister made these comments, Suriname had became the latest country in the region to report the presence of the virus; 11 members of a sport team that had recently visited Trinidad were confirmed to have the virus. Several other Caribbean countries, including Jamaica, Cuba and Barbados have reported the flu’s presence.
The WHO recently declared the flu a pandemic and advised governments to prepare for a long-term battle against an unstoppable new flu virus. The flu has been confirmed to be present in over 70 countries.
Ramsammy, on that occasion, had urged anyone with flu-like symptoms to visit their doctor or local health centre.
Symptoms of ‘swine flu’ in people are similar to those of regular or seasonal flu and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some with ‘swine flu’ also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Precautions
The ministry had advised persons to:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Discard used tissue safely in a covered bin.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Direct all persons who are sick to seek medical attention.
• If you get sick, please seek medical attention immediately at the nearest health facility.
The ministry had also said that 20,000 doses of Tamiflu were available to treat the flu should the need arise.
Fans of the ‘King of Pop’ Michael Jackson enjoyed the Sidewalk Café last night in paying tribute to him with DJ Nigel Hughes. The tribute started at 9 pm and there was no cover charge.
Read on...On Caricom Day, in keeping with the ‘Caribbeanness’ of the holiday, the Sidewalk presents a barbecue and fish fry from 11.30 am.
On Wednesday, and this is a regular feature, rock band Et Tu Brutus hosted its Rock Film Festival at the Sidewalk from 7 pm. Again, there is no cover charge.
Michael Smith and Friends offered up live jazz on Thursday from 9 pm with a cover charge of $1,000.
Sonia Noel will name Guyana’s Next Top Model in exactly one week and while it is still too early to pick a front-runner the competition it shaping up to be as jaw-dropping as last year.
Richard Young, the creative force behind Sonia Noel’s Glamorous, is impressed with the bunch he has groomed this year and he has seen some potential “drama” in a few of the hopefuls.
The hotly-contested photo shoot for the model search wrapped up at Splashmin’s several days ago and is to be aired shortly. Richard said the shoot this year was interesting because it was pushed up to an earlier time allowing for a fresh daybreak setting. “The models were up before sunrise and the cameras were ready to roll within a few minutes, it really was something special to watch,” he said. Richard said the models this year seemed to have grasped the concept of the “complete runway package” better than the previous year, adding that they understood the importance of not simply walking on the runway and believing that “this was all”. Designers and stylists had to incorporate environmental awareness and HIV/AIDS and domestic violence into their work. He said that the focus was not solely on designing but also demonstrating a responsibility to raise awareness on pertinent issues. With respect to the stylists, he said, they were drafted in because the role of stylists had been underplayed in the past. He explained that the stylists are make-up those persons who understand how to use clothes to reach an audience. “While the designer creates the outfit the stylist is the one who sells it, and I was impressed with how the stylists in this competition understood the roles they play,” Richard added. He said what Sonia Noel is doing by putting on the show every year is rearing a new crop of models to enter an industry that he acknowledged is difficult to survive in here. But, he noted the competition instills in models the notion of creating a niche in the field. According to him, the avenue is there for models to think “outside of the catwalk” and branch out to marketing products. He said this was the same message that was shared with the designers. Richard said designing for the catwalk is important, but it is also practical to think of designing for companies even if it is producing a batch of jumpsuits. Richard said the final, which is to be held on July 12 at Princess Buddy’s Hotel, is shaping up to be quite an event. Since the model search and the designer and stylist competitions have been merged for the final show Richard said the public will have “quite a fill”. He also mentioned that auditions for Guyana Fashion Weekend noted are slated for July 5 and 6 at the Hotel Tower. The auditions begin at 2 pm each day.
With just days to go before Sumfest 2009 gets underway in Jamaica, Chairman Robert Russell, at the Montego Bay Launch of Reggae Sumfest at Pier 1 on June 30th, announced that this year's staging will be dedicated to the `greatest entertainer in the world.`
GSB just caught wind that our girl Shelly 'G' has officially launched her website and is ready to interact with her fans from Guyana and abroad.
This would sure be a good treat for all of her local fans since they would rarely see Shelly anywhere and would always wonder what has she been up to lately... The website, www.shellygonline.com boasts a wide variety of features with a photo gallery, fan club, video gallery, news and frequent updates also downloads and discussion boards.
fans can also register on the site to get exclusive access to VIP conten, such as music downloads and backstage video, shout outs, photos and much more.
The website, which was developed by Kelvin Daly is the fist of it's king in Guyana for Guyanese artiste. It's main focus is to promote Sehlly G to the entire world and her many fans.
The website is just a stepping stone, Shelly G's Manager Mr. Dynamix tells us, pointing out that fans can expect an array of promotions, music and videos coming from the artiste, as she gets ready for bigger and better things.
That's rite ya'll, The Guyana Fashion Weekend Committee has started hosting auditions has of Today at 14:00hrs at the Tower Hotel to select the 'cream of the crop' for the year's event.
Pop it for more....While they are particularly looking for tall and stunning models this year around, there will be a particular call for models of 'mixed race and origin' too.
Auditions will also continue on Sunday from 14:00hrs and will end at 18:00hrs set by the officials in order to maintain a strict schedule.
male models are asked to walk with runway shoes while the females are required to be attired in heels to better enable them to storm the runway before a panel of judges.
Models are also required to walk with two full size photos for viewing by the panel. Models are reminded that last years even offered a world of opportunities for participants and reigning Miss Guyana Universe, Ms Meeesa Payne as a result became an official Pulse model and participated in the Trinidad Fashion event.
Meanwhile designers who are aduitioning are required to walk with their sketches or portfolios abd of course two of their completed designs.
GSB has learned that our very own Ms Timeka Marshall will be performing at this year's Reggae Sumfest which comes as no surprise to us.Following her overwhelming performance there last year and the huge success she has gain for this year, it would be an insult not to have her there again.
The 17th annual Reggae Sumfest, which will be Dedicated To Michael Jackson, will get underway this July with the annual beach party at Cornwall Beach,...featuring the likes of many of Jamaica's more popular local deejays including Errol Lee & the Bare Essentials, Cameal Davis, Khalil, ZJ Ice, DJ Mix Master Marvin and Crazy Nei, backed by Danger Zone Super Strong.
Not to mention the Jagra Dancehall Night, on July 23rd, which is sure to crank the heat of this resort up higher, as a slew of stars, including Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Vybz Kartel, Mavado, Lady Saw, Elephant Man, Busy Signal, Spice, Kiprich, Flippa Mafia and D'Angel also set to take over the stage.
And on Friday, July 24th, American R&B stars Ne-Yo and Jazmine Sullivan are set to bring some smooth vibes to the festival while Morgan Heritage, Jah Cure, Coco T and Queen Ifrica are sure to thrill the conscious reggae followers.
For the final curtain call on Saturday, July 25th performances will include multi-Grammy-winning star, Toni Braxton, Nas, Damian 'Jr Gong' Marley, Tarrus Riley, Etana and Da'Ville with some others.
