About two months after the first 2 autochthonous cases of Zika virus infection were confirmed in the South American country of Suriname, one expert estimates that the disease burden may be quite high.
According to a report in Loop Suriname this week, the head of the Academisch Ziekenhuis Paramaribo (AZP) lab, where the first cases were confirmed, says thousands may be infected with the mosquito borne viral illness.
John Codrington bases his estimate on the hundreds of testing applications the lab has received. Some of those who have tested positive include pregnant women.
The Bureau of Public Health Care, based on what is happening in Brazil with the surge in microcephaly cases seen this year, is advising women to delay pregnancy as a precautionary measure in the short term.
In addition, Suriname health officials announced an action plan which focuses on fighting the mosquito that transmits the Zika virus and educating the community.
Related:
- Countries with Zika transmission increase dramatically with Americas outbreak
- Zika virus: Probable sexual transmission documented
- CDC issues travel notices for several countries due to Zika virus
What is the rate of microcephaly in Surinam?
The rate is not known and so far we dont have Children born with microcephaly