Minister called to Assembly as Zika virus hits 50

Minister of Health Francisco Javier Terrientes, has been called to the National Assembly  to answer questions about the spread of the zika virus in some indigenous regions of the country.  

Terrientes will be asked about the dangers posed by the virus and how it is spread.

There has been widespread criticism of the apparent lack of action by the Ministry, although the Cinta Costera site of  Carnival is being sprayed daily

WHO has  declare the spead of the virus a world emergency. The call comes at a time when cases in Panama have reached the 50 mark and the US has notified the first cases of the virus through sexual transmission. Brazil, with scores of thousands of infected pregnant women is relooking at abortion laws and Colombia and El Salvador have asked women to delay having children.

Terrientes  will also be asked about the actions being taken by the ministry to prevent the spread of the virus, which has been linked to birth defects in a number of countries, most notably Brazil.

He  will also be asked to provide information about medicinal and homemade products that can counter the effects of the virus and information on the number of cases in Panama.

In addition the minister will be asked to clarify whether or not there is any relationship between the virus and chikungunya and dengue.

According to reports from the Ministry , the virus is most prominent in the indigenous areas of Ustupo-Ogosucum, Achutupo, Mulatupo, Playon Chico, Corazón de Jesús, Narganá and Puerto Obaldia, all located in the Guna Yala. Comarca