Tweet
Spanish to English translation
Hantavirus in Panama Death warning to health authorities
Eliecer Deivis Cerrud
The Ministry of Health (MINSA), through the Directorate of Health Promotion, made on Tuesday called on the Panamanian people to follow the recommendations and control measures to reduce risk and prevent the spread of the Hantavirus.
The recommendation of the health authorities of Panama arise from the confirmed death of a man about 30 years by the hantavirus in the province of Veraguas, becoming the first fatality charged the disease in 2011.
The Health Minister Franklin Veragara, said the most important is prevention, avoiding contact with excreta of rodents, in combination with environmental hygiene at home, work and recreational areas.
The MOH announced by a press release, they have intensified their promotion and prevention as door to door leafleting, training, delivery of materials about the Hantavirus.
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is that 50 percent of cases are fatal. The disease is transmitted through the bite, stool, urine or saliva of rodents, especially rats, that somehow migrate to the towns.
The MOH gave some recommendations to prevent the spread of this disease are the following: "Keep weeds and grass cut and your home cleared of debris and rubble in a radius of 30 meters around the home.
-Keep garbage in containers with lids.
Store food in containers-resistant and sealed. Do not allow pans and utensils within reach of mice.
-Aerate for 30 minutes before entering confined spaces for long.
"After I sprayed the soil and air surfaces with bleach and water. Then clean and sweep.
-Keep the exterior of houses and warehouses free of weeds and trash.
"Keep protected sources of water supply.
In Panama, there have been over 104 cases and at least 29 deaths from Hantavirus between 1991 and 2010, according to official data.