In the past week, another 207 people have been infected with the Chikungunya virus. This means the total number of infections has risen to 1,357 since the outbreak in January. However, there are still no chemicals available to take large-scale control measures. Minister André Misiekaba of Health and Welfare has announced that a positive response was only received from Brazil at the beginning of this week to a request to import the necessary chemicals.
During a government press conference, Misiekaba briefly discussed the situation surrounding Chikungunya. He indicated that contact has also been made with French Guiana regarding the supply of chemicals, and that a positive response is also expected there informally. He once again emphasized the importance for society to do everything it can to prevent further spread. This can be done by cleaning up mosquito breeding grounds — especially places with stagnant water — sleeping under impregnated mosquito nets and strengthening the immune system.
“I didn’t know it was so complicated to get chemicals into the country,” the minister said. “Now that I know that, something like this will not happen to us again during the next season in January next year. According to the BOG, only one spraying took place between 2020 and 2025. It seems that insufficient attention was paid to this. The logistics and contacts were not in order, we had to start all over again. Fortunately, the lines are now clear. As soon as the chemicals are there, we will start immediately.”
