make difficult decisions as it faces a harsh reality: not every suspected chikungunya patient can or must be screened. Experts emphasize that selective testing for chikungunyais not an austerity measure but a necessity to contain the outbreak. PCR tests for chikungunya are expensive and require specialized manpower. Health officials have therefore established special criteria to make it clear when testing for chikungunya is necessary. Testing for chikungunya is given the green light when patients have just started showing symptoms in the first five days. After this period the diagnostic value of the test drops. Suspected cases from areas where there have been no confirmed infections are also given priority. These groups deliver crucial information about the severity and progress of the outbreak. Thanks to this strategy the epidemic can be monitored accurately without putting too much pressure on the system. One important element in this approach is the role of the Central Laboratory of the Academic Hospital Paramaribo (AZP). Only forms that have been filled out entirely and correctly are accepted. If essential information is missing the sample is not tested. Experts made it clear that this decision is necessary to prevent wasting expensive tests.