Guyana engages PAHO on presence of Brazilian COVID-19 variant

With the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) recently indicating that the Brazilian variant (P.1) of the novel coronavirus is circulating in Guyana, the Health Ministry has now engaged the agency for information on this disclosure.

Advisor on emerging viral diseases at PAHO, Dr Jairo Mendez Rico, has claimed during the webinar for journalists that the Brazilian variant of the disease is present in Guyana. According to him, 37 countries in the Americas have reported the presence of the variant as well.
Asked in Tuesday’s coronavirus update about this revelation, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony said the Ministry is unaware of such news, and has since asked PAHO to submit a report.
“We don’t know what are the different types of variants, if there are any, that are circulating in Guyana, because from the limited amount of gene sequencing that was done on 10 samples, we were not able to identify any such variant. This is really news to us. I have since asked PAHO for a report pertaining to this disclosure, and we’re awaiting PAHO’s response,” Dr Anthony has said.
The four variants of concern include those that originated in the United Kingdom (B 1.1.7), South Africa (B.1.351), Brazil (P.1), and India (B.1.617). Dr Rico has noted that these variants can increase in lethality or change in clinical patterns in ways that could affect control measures, including vaccines.

“So far, 37 countries and territories have confirmed the presence of one or more of the four variants of concern. Variant B.1.1.7 was confirmed in 34 countries; variant B.1.351 in 17; variant P.1 in 21 countries, and variant B.1.617 in eight countries,” a statement from PAHO has notified.
For variants to be detected, samples need to undergo genomic sequencing to examine the strain. Guyana has sent only 10 samples to CARPHA, which returned negative for variant presence last February. The Health Ministry has since been unsuccessful in sending more samples to other agencies.
“Getting genetic sequencing is not an easy process. We continue to try to work with agencies that can get this done for us, but, so far, we have not succeeded in getting samples to these agencies,” Dr Anthony outlined during the update.
The Organisation had shared that the higher the transmission level within populations, the more likely it is that viral mutations would occur. The experts agreed that slowing or halting transmission is the only way to avoid the appearance of new variants.
It has been recommended that all public health measures be maintained where the virus is circulating, regardless of the variant. These measures include using face masks; maintaining physical distancing from others; avoiding crowded, closed spaces; opening windows for ventilation; hand hygiene; and getting vaccinated when vaccines become available.
It has also been recommended that epidemiological and genomic surveillance be strengthened to reduce the spread of the virus and its possible mutations.
Countries in the Americas first began using genomic surveillance during outbreaks of cholera years ago, and this continued with outbreaks of influenza, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever. This long experience is now being applied to keep a close look at SARS-CoV-2.