Almost 1,000 Cases Reported in Panama
Almost 1,000 cases of dengue fever and two hemorrhagic cases were reported in the course of this year in Panama, despite campaigns for cleaning and prevention fostered by local sanitary authorities, said official sources here Friday.

The Panamanian Public Health Ministry (MINSA) said the most affected regions are Panama City (528 cases) and San Miguelito (120). Later there are Cocle (102), Colon (61) and Chiriqui (45).

Sanitary authorities are worried because of the beginning of the rain season in the nation, which allows a greater propagation of mosquito Aedes Aegypti, dengue fever transmitter.

The Panamanian Public Health Ministry said that the island of Taboga, a place for fun and recreation, presented an infestation index of 21.4 percent, three times over normal.

This institution started a national campaign at the beginning of this year, including fumigation and picking of garbage to fight the disease, incorporation of the civil society to the sanitary measures, participation of communication media to prevent the population and others.

Official data said that more than 3,000 people were reported in Panama last year with classic dengue fever, and seven with hemorrhagic dengue fever, of whom one of them finally died.