The Technical Commission for Health Crises (CTCS) of the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) will monitor epidemiological situations that may be related to . The announcement was made by Anvisa’s CEO, Antonio Barra Torres, at the opening of the Collegiate Board meeting this Wednesday (18).
According to Anvisa, the objective is to identify situations in which regulatory action may be necessary to assist essential health actions to reduce health risks.
“The commission’s work can deal, for example, with shortages due to logistical difficulties due to proximity to fires, river transport problems in drought regions or even the need for treatments for respiratory problems,” Anvisa said in a note sent the CNN Brazil.
The CTCS has existed since 2022 and has the function of monitoring, evaluating and proposing actions for Anvisa’s actions during health crises and emergencies. The commission is coordinated by Anvisa’s Third Board of Directors and will incorporate specific issues related to forest fires into everyday life.
According to Barra Torres, fires represent a “serious” health problem, as particles resulting from the fires are inhaled. The CEO stated that people with respiratory and cardiovascular problems are those most affected by smoke.
“Can human beings go without drinking water for a few days, can they go without eating for a few days, but without breathing? Just hold your breath and we’ll see what our limit is,” he said.
The CEO of Anvisa said that, although fires are common in times of drought, there is evidence that the fires recorded are criminal. Barra Torres also highlighted that the climate crisis is global, but that Brazil does not have the same speed of response compared to other countries.
“Here in the central plateau, in the Cerrado area, there are natural cycles where fires happen, but what we are seeing are criminal actions, which the justice system and control and police authorities will investigate and give us answers,” he stated.
