PARAMARIBO, Suriname (CMC) – Suriname Health Minister André Misiekaba is urging the population to take precaution after the country recorded one death and 134 cases of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus.

Misiekaba, providing an update on the situation to the National Assembly, said that the laboratory-confirmed cases range in ages 11 months to 85 years with the largest groups of infections in the 25 to 44 age group (27 cases) and 45 to 64 age group (38  cases).

There has been one death, which is currently being investigated by the Public Health Bureau (BOG).

He said a multidisciplinary working group with support from experts from the ministry, the BOG, the Medical Mission, and the Regional Health Service (RGD) is providing communication and community engagement to deal with the virus.

The health minister said that cases have so far been confirmed in three area including the capital, Paramaribo, and that the reported fatality is a person who had serious underlying conditions.

Misiekaba said it is internationally accepted that one death could represent at least a thousand infections.

“I’m not saying this to cause panic but to call on society to be vigilant, because Suriname is dealing with a serious outbreak,” he added.

The health ministry said that the main risk groups remain seniors, very young children, those  chronically ill including people with diabetes and heart disease as well as pregnant women, especially in the final stages of pregnancy.

The minister said that the government has begun clearing breeding grounds in areas with the most infections and will gradually expand this approach. Insecticide spraying has not yet begun, as the necessary supplies are still in transit.

Misiekaba urgently appealed to citizens to remove stagnant water, cover cisterns and tanks, use mosquito repellent, wear long sleeves and pants as well as sleep under mosquito nets.

“The government cannot do this alone. Society must help to control this outbreak,” Misiekaba said.

Acting head of the Environmental Inspectorate at the BOG, Stephanie Cheuk A Lam, said she expects the peak of infections to last three to four months.

“Without the commitment of every citizen, we remain vulnerable,” warns Cheuk A Lam.