Respiratory illnesses on the rise in Brazil as Amazon wildfires rage on
LINGERING smoke in the Amazon is causing concern among Brazilians who say that respiratory problems — particularly among children and the elderly — have increased as fires in the region rage.
“The kids are affected the most. They’re coughing a lot,” said Elane Diaz, a nurse in the Rondonia state capital of Porto Velho, as she waited for a doctor’s appointment at a hospital with her five-year-old-son Eduardo. “They have problems breathing. I’m concerned because it affects their health.”
The number of people treated for respiratory issues increased
Smokes rises from forest fires in Altamira, Para state, Brazil
sharply in recent days at a local children’s hospital.
“This period has been very tough. The dry weather and the smoke cause many problems for children, such as pneumonia and
coughing,” said Daniel Pires, a paediatrician at the hospital.
“From August 1 to August 10, the median number of cases was about 120 to 130 children with respiratory problems. From August 11 to August 20 it went up to 280 cases.”
But as breathing-related ailments appear to be on the rise, attention to the issue has largely been overshadowed by growing acrimony between Brazil and European countries seeking to help fight Amazon fires and protect a region seen as vital to the health of the planet.
At a summit in France this week G7 nations pledged to help fight the flames and protect the rainforest by offering $20m, in addition to separate cash pledges from the UK and Canada.
But Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, a far-Right climate sceptic who took office this year with a promise to boost development in Latin America’s biggest economy, questioned whether offers of international aid mask a plot to exploit the Amazon’s resources and weaken Brazilian growth.
On Tuesday he said that his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron had called him a liar and would have to apologise before Brazil considers accepting rainforest aid.
Mr Macron has to retract those comments “and then we can speak”, Mr Bolsonaro said.
In a video message Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho offered an apology to France for what he called Mr Bolsonaro’s “hysteria”, saying that the Brazilian Government had resorted to insults to dodge responsibility for the Amazon fires.