The traditional Carnival parade in Mazatenango, Suchitepéquez, was canceled in 2024. As in the years of the pandemic, terms such as disinfection days return, for example in the markets.
This is one of several actions by the mayor’s office in hopes of mitigating the acute neurological illness suspected to be Guillain-Barré syndrome that affects 61 people. As of Wednesday, February 7, 46 active cases were detected in the department alone, according to Olga del Valle, director of the Suchitepéquez Health Area.
Read also: The suspension of classes continues in Mazatenango and Cuyotenango
One of the first actions of the community was to take and analyze water samples. “So far we have no results”said the mayor of Mazatenango, Carlos Estuardo Villagrán López. On January 15, he made his debut as mayor of the municipality.
This Sunday, an office will be set up at the municipal kiosk staffed by health personnel so that the population can come and report any symptoms related to the disease.
Suspension of classes in the municipalities of
Mazatenango and Cuyotenango, Suchitepéquez pic.twitter.com/3oZ3H4Y9IR— Mineduc Guatemala (@MineducGT) February 8, 2024
Dissemination campaigns in Mazatenango
The commune participates in a communication campaign in the markets where food handling controls were also established.
“Not only was the carnival suspended, but a municipal agreement was also issued prohibiting any massive activity,” Villagran explained. The mayor’s office will accompany the efforts of health personnel and the Military Zone to carry out a campaign to eliminate scrap metal and take new water samples.
The Health Directorate commands the prevention campaign “the ten golden rules” disseminated in WhatsApp groups, social networks and through the communication departments of the municipalities of the department.
To merchants who do not have their food and health handling card, warning (prevent) and closure of several businesses, indicated Del Valle.
Moisés Cajas, departmental delegate of the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred), reported that all efforts are organized in an inter-institutional table in which the ministries of Agriculture, Environment and Education, in addition to the communes, also participate. [Por Ana Valdez. Vía Ojoconmipisto]
