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Source: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/he...pede-health-officials-fighting-zika-outbreak/
Gangs in Central America obstructing health officials' work against Zika outbreak
Published February 10, 2016Fox News Latino
Street gangs in much of Central America have near-total control over entire neighborhoods, tracking everyone who comes and goes ? and that now includes the health workers struggling to contain the Zika virus.
In El Salvador, the growing outbreak of the virus has been putting a lot of pressure on health crews, who sometimes are even denied access to crews by these gangs...
...n 2014, an emergency medical technician accompanying a fumigation team in San Salvador in 2014 was shot dead after gang members lifted his shirt and found a tattoo from a rival gang. Similar incidents have plagued other cities across Central America, where fumigators are chased by thugs, assaulted or even charged a tax for access...
...n Guatemala, fumigators planned to go into one Guatemala City neighborhood last week but locals warned it was too dangerous, said Sergio Mendez, fumigation coordinator for the health ministry.
"We don't ask for help from the police or the army to enter an area, because later they go and carry out raids," Mendez said. "And we have to go back. The people think we reported them."
Gangs can also hamper the fight against Zika and other public health efforts in less-direct ways.
Fear of the maras leads many residents to refuse to answer the door or let health workers inside...
Gangs in Central America obstructing health officials' work against Zika outbreak
Published February 10, 2016Fox News Latino
Street gangs in much of Central America have near-total control over entire neighborhoods, tracking everyone who comes and goes ? and that now includes the health workers struggling to contain the Zika virus.
In El Salvador, the growing outbreak of the virus has been putting a lot of pressure on health crews, who sometimes are even denied access to crews by these gangs...
...n 2014, an emergency medical technician accompanying a fumigation team in San Salvador in 2014 was shot dead after gang members lifted his shirt and found a tattoo from a rival gang. Similar incidents have plagued other cities across Central America, where fumigators are chased by thugs, assaulted or even charged a tax for access...
...n Guatemala, fumigators planned to go into one Guatemala City neighborhood last week but locals warned it was too dangerous, said Sergio Mendez, fumigation coordinator for the health ministry.
"We don't ask for help from the police or the army to enter an area, because later they go and carry out raids," Mendez said. "And we have to go back. The people think we reported them."
Gangs can also hamper the fight against Zika and other public health efforts in less-direct ways.
Fear of the maras leads many residents to refuse to answer the door or let health workers inside...