By Yaritza Gricel Mojica for the Panama America - 50% of the recorded cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever in Panama have resulted in death, according to the latest report by the Ministry of Health (MINSA). Of a total of eight people reported to have been infected with dengue hemorrhagic fever as of yesterday by the Department of Epidemiology of the Ministry of Health, four have died: two in the province of Chiriqui, one in the Western part of the province of Panama, and one in Panama City. The last Panamanian who died from dengue hemorrhagic fever was 69 year old Augusto Bal, who was a professor and specialist in gynecology. MINSA Director of Epidemiology Dr. Gladys Guerrero said the physician was admitted to the San Fernando Hospital last Wednesday "with a suspected case of dengue hemorrhagic fever that evolved quickly." The doctor lived in Bethania, in the neighborhood of Villa Caceres, one of the areas with the highest rate of dengue infestation with 11% of the total cases, followed by Pueblo Nuevo with 11%, Juan Diaz with 8%, and Ancon with 7.4%. The most recent epidemiological report revealed there have been at total of 1,202 cases of dengue fever, of those 1,185 have been classic dengue, eight confirmed cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever, another five with hemorrhagic manifestations, and a total of four deaths.
Panamanians in danger - Panama's Health Minister Franklin Vergara, warned that "for every 100 Panamanians, eighteen might die due to dengue hemorrhagic fever unless corrective actions are taken to eliminate the mosquito that transmits the disease."
Health officials ordered the Vector Control Inspectors, who remain in the streets fighting against mosquito breeding areas, to issue tickets starting at $100 and up to $1,000 to those who refuse to clean up the areas around their homes and businesses, as well as the closure of establishments with breeding areas who fail to comply. Previously, the Director of the Gorgas Memorial Institute, Nestor Sosa, warned that the more than 1,185 people who have already been infected with dengue have a greater change of becoming infected with one of the other three types of dengue that are circulating in the country. Reports received by the Panama America indicate that in some of the schools in the Western part of the province of Panama, such as the Stella Sierra school in Arraiján, there have been high absentee rates of as much as five students per classroom, all suspected to be caused by dengue.
Editor's Comment: This dengue threat is real and growing quickly. All over the Panamanian news I hear and see stories about dengue every day. This started about two weeks ago and has peaked quickly. Take every precaution to clean around your home or business. Look for any little area where rainwater can accumulate and eliminate them. Some things to look for are for example the plates that some people put under potted plants - if they don't have a drainage hole then the water can accumulate there and give the mosquitoes a place to reproduce. Another area is often times there might be a leak under the "s" drain in an outdoor sink and people will put a little bucket under there to catch the drips, creating a breeding site. Hey, this is one of those times where doing a little cleanup is a totally selfish act - the mosquitoes breeding in your backyard are most likely to bite you. And you might want to offer to help your neighbors to clean up as well - these mosquitoes have a relatively short range. Also, bats and geckos are your friends because they eat bugs. Anyway, take this threat seriously. Repair your screens and wear repellent, especially if you're going to be outside at dawn or dusk. A 50% mortality rate is nothing to be played with. The Panamanian government is on a full-court press to get the word out. Please forward this article to everyone you know who lives in Panama. Thanks.
Article from: Panama Guide
