Even as many people now realize how to protect themselves against chikungunya, dengue, or Zika, there is another, less well-known threat: the Oropouche virus. Students at the Arthur A. Hoogendoorn Atheneum (AAHA) are working to change that by raising awareness.
We are a group of students from AAHA participating in the international Viruskenner Project 2026. This project, an initiative of the Cirion Foundation and the Viroscience Lab of Erasmus MC in the Netherlands, brings together young people from various countries – including the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, and Suriname – to develop solutions for infectious diseases in a rapidly changing world. Suriname has proudly participated in this globally recognized program for years, and we at AAHA strive to contribute to public health annually.
The goal of Viruskenner is not only to develop our creativity and scientific skills but also to raise public awareness of viruses that often fly under the radar. This year, we are focusing on the Oropouche virus. Have you ever heard of it? Oropouche is a virus whose symptoms are similar to those of other tropical diseases. People may experience fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and general fatigue, making it easily confused with diseases such as dengue, Zika, or chikungunya.
In Dutch, Oropouche fever is sometimes also referred to as luiaardkoorts, or “sloth fever.” This term is a translation used in the literature for this disease, but it does *not* mean that the animal, the sloth, is responsible for transmitting the disease to humans. It’s important to avoid this misunderstanding.
The Oropouche virus is primarily transmitted by small biting insects, especially the mampira (knut). When such an insect bites an infected animal or person and then bites a human, the virus can be transmitted. This highlights the importance of understanding vector-borne diseases and their transmission cycles.
Wild animals, including sloths, can sometimes be part of the natural virus cycle in the ecosystem, but humans do not become infected through direct contact with these animals. Transmission to humans occurs through insect bites. It is important to abandon wild animals alone and, at the same time, take great measures to prevent insect bites.
In collaboration with experts, we are investigating how this virus spreads and what role our environment and nature play in it. Our goal is to reach as many people as possible with reliable information.
We don’t just want to complete a school project; we also want to contribute to Surinamese society by sharing knowledge about prevention and protection against viruses.
Together we are making Suriname more virus-aware and better protected!
Students AAHA, class 5 – Subject: Biology
Jayden Rack
Khanysha Powel
Lea Holband
Nia Tjon-A-Kon
Curious about our journey or want to learn more about how you can protect yourself?
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