Hanta virus threatens Azuero carnival celebrations.
Hanta virus threatens Azuero carnival celebrations.
WHILE Panama’s dengue epidemic seems to be easing the Ministry of Health is facing another challenge -the hanta virus
Minister of Health Javier Díaz has not ruled out cancelling the Carnival events in the Azuero region if cases of the virus continue.
According to Diaz, measures have been taking to prevent the spread of the disease, but they may not be enough to prevent the cancellation of the events. So far this year, there have been nine cases of hanta virus in the country, most of them in Azuero.
Hanta virus is transmitted by rodent urine and is potentially fatal. Warning signs include flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, myalgia, headache, and lethargy. It is characterized by a sudden onset of shortness of breath with rapidly evolving pulmonary edema that is often fatal despite mechanical ventilation and intervention