Virological investigations in Guyana, 1956-1966

ABSTRACT

During the course of virological investigations in Guyana over a ten-year period, 1956-1966, several viruses were isolated. Eastern equine encephalitis, western equine encephalitis, Cache Valley, and rabies viruses were recovered from equines; poliovirus types 1 and 3, Coxsackie Group B type 3, Coxsackie Group A type 4, and rabies were recovered from humans. In addition, serlological evidence was obtained for the past occurrence of infection with Mayaro, Ilheus, and yellow fever viruses in the Amerindians of the Rupununi, and with Ilheus, St. Louis encephalitis, and dengue in residents of the coastal area. Outbreaks of illness in equines due to viruses occurred on the coast in 1953, 1958, 1962, and 1966 and on the Rupununi Savannahs in 1959. An outbreak of poliomyelitis due to poliovirus type 1 occurred on the coast in 1962. Three members of one family from the north-west district died from rabies, presumably bat transmitted, in 1960 (AU)