Malaria and dengue surge

PANAMA. The Health Ministry of Panama is closely monitoring the domestic situation to prevent and fight dengue and malaria outbreaks.

On the last count, on March 28, the Ministry had reported 225 cases of classic dengue and one with the hemorrhagic strain. Most reports are from Metropolitan areas, with 137 cases, then in the province of Colon with 29 and the San Miguelito District with 28 reports.

Another 328 suspected cases remain under investigation to determine if it is dengue. Meanwhile, Panama has reported in 2009 a total of 312 cases of malaria, an increase of 115 compared to 2008. To keep the area under control the authorities are fumigating homes, Indigenous communities and the provinces of Panama, Darien, Bocas del Toro and Chiriqui.