TEN LABORATORY technicians are to undergo training in the Elisa technique that will facilitate the quick screening of early cases of leptospirosis in both animals and humans.
According to a JIS News release, the training of the technicians is scheduled to start today and continue for the week at the Veterinary Services Division at Hope Gardens.
Dr. Linette Peters, director of veterinary public health in the Ministry of Health, says training in the Elisa technique would permit technicians to deal with as many as 90 samples at any one time.
"What that means for us is that we can get back quicker results because it actually detects the disease in its early stages," Dr. Peters said. "So, you can be almost sure that you may have a case of leptospirosis on hand."
The technicians to be trained are attached to the National Leptospirosis Laboratory, which is located at the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
Also included will be a few other technicians from the Ministry of Health's laboratory and other persons who have expressed an interest in being familiar the technique.
The training is being funded by the Pan-American Health Organisation at a cost of US$10,000, which includes providing trainers from the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre in Trinidad and Tobago in addition to reagents that will be used to conduct tests for up to two years.
