Rousseff: Zika should be tackled through joint action by Latin America

President Dilma Rousseff said Tuesday (Feb. 2) that fighting the Aedes aegypti mosquito is a task that should be tackled through a joint action by Latin America. The mosquito transmits dengue and chikungunya fevers, as well as the Zika virus, which may cause microcephaly in babies.

“We talked about the Zika challenge and the need to work together to fight the mosquito, preventing its proliferation and developing vaccines. It's necessarily a job for all the countries in South America and Latin America.” Rousseff said, after meeting with Bolivian President Evo Morales at the presidential palace.

Morales also highlighted the need for collective measures against the Zika virus, even though the number of cases of the disease reported in his country has been low. He mentioned the importance of the meeting slated to take place Wednesday (3) in Montevideo, which brings together Health ministers from Mercosur countries (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Venezuela).

The meeting will be open to member countries of CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) and UNASUR (Union of South American Nations).

Also during the meeting, President Rousseff talked about the key role of energy integration between the two countries, underscoring that “Bolivia contributes to Brazil's energy stability.” The natural gas imported from Bolivia accounts for some 30% of the supply in the Brazilian market.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira