Panama still free of A/H1N1 flu after 28 suspected cases

PANAMA. There have been 28 suspected cases of the A/H1N1 flu in Panama, of which 24 were negative. The other four are currently under investigation.

Dr Gladys Guerrero, chief of the Epidemic Department of the Ministry of Health, said that the Gorgas Institute is doing the swine flu test on the four remaining patients and the results will be ready soon.

Guerrero said that it is not rare that a few flu cases appear in Panama at this time of the year. The respiratory viruses are very common and therefor the initial test is just to find out what type of flu the patient has.

The doctor said that if the tests do not reveal that it was a virus that was already in circulation a second test must be done to checkthe presence of the A/H1N1 virus.

“We are urging the population to continue to carry out the recommendations given by the Ministry of Health such as hand washing, covering mouths and nose when coughing and sneezing.

If a person feels unwell and has fever he should go and see a doctor, “ said Guerrero.

Currently, the Ministry of Health has 15 stations acrossthe country to monitor the appearance of flu cases in an effort to keep the A/H1N1 virus out of the the country.

Guerrero said that the Ministry of Health has increased the number of samples gathered as an extra precaution.

At the same time, personnel are on alert to catch any suspected cases as soon as they appear.

The doctor said that for the time being precautions are going to be maintained on the borders and at the Tocumen Airport until the potentianpandemic is over.