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Suriname under the spell of the Zika virus
25-02-2016 By: Love Editors Source: OneWorld
In Suriname they get anxious zika of the virus. For all Surinamese women now less than four months pregnant, are anxious times.
REPORTAGE -
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A rising trend
For all Surinamese women now less than four months pregnant, are uncertain times. Suriname is also in the oppressive spell of zika virus. " No mek no wan maskita Dyuk 'yu ' - or: do not pierce the mosquito - is the message that is constantly preached. Is eradication of the Zika virus is a major challenge for the vast country with about 500,000 inhabitants. The fierce battle against the chikungunya virus, which is transmitted by the same mosquito, was just behind, when the new virus manifested itself and also caused an epidemic within a short time.
So far even though four persons deceased at the consequences of zika, probably contracted in Suriname. In all these deaths a link was made with Guillain-Barr? syndrome (paralysis). The registration of health clinics in the coastal area shows that have already been registered in 1233 zika cases this year. So there is a rising trend. Last year, the Academic Hospital Paramaribo Laboratory (AZP), the largest in the country, only 477 test applications, of which 163 dropped out positive. From January 1, the lab was more than three times to test applications, which in more than 350 cases turned out to be the zika virus.
All the reasons for the Office for Public Health (BOG) to increase awareness and anti-zikacampagne considerably. Also, since the society was very dissatisfied with the extent to which it was informed. Many showed their dissatisfaction through social media. The information spread by the government then proceeded painfully mainly by lack of money. Meanwhile, the government 1.3 million Surinamese dollar (300,000 euros) earmarked for the preventive approach of the virus. International organizations such as the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) financially and technically assist.
Some pregnant women were unaware of the Zika virus
Or that many will draw is questionable. "We have found that even though most people are well informed, they are the instructions to protect themselves sometimes do not follow enough against the virus," says a worried Astracia Warner, Principal Environmental Inspectorate of the BOG. Society is informed via all possible channels: radio, television, social media, internet, billboards in strategic locations and door-to-door awareness. Some districts even picked up free bulky waste.
Insecticide or mosquito?
The hospitals used again plenty of mosquito nets and regularly sprayed with environmentally friendly insecticide. The ministry has asked the sick institutions to minimize the number of visitors per patient. Apart from the SNB and Health also help other organizations and agencies in the fight against zika. Argentine and Brazilian doctors refute that zika virus causes microcephaly. They see the insecticide used to combat zikamug, as the culprit of the skull abnormality in newborn babies.
At this time, the relationship between the virus and the skull defect is the only thing that is well researched
John Codrington, head of the laboratory of the AZP, says there is still research into possible links between zika and microcephaly. Codrington was one of the scientists who unraveled the genome of the Surinamese zika virus. "As a scientist I am always open to everything they claim. You should not reject other claims, but the evidence must also be provided." At present, the relationship between the virus and the skull Notwithstanding all that is well researched. All other allegations should be investigated and proven. "
The AZP is exploring with the University of Rotterdam, the effect of the virus in Suriname, emphasizing the link between zika and microcephaly. Is collected as much information about women who have become infected during pregnancy. The first conclusions will be mid-2016 announced.
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This article was written by a correspondent in Paramaribo, who prefers to remain anonymous. Name withheld.
https://www.oneworld.nl/love/suriname-de-ban-van-het-zika-virus
