health

Hanta virus kills woman

Three cases of the Hanta virus have been diagnosed in Panama in 2007, one of which was fatal.

JIHAN RODRÍGUEZ/LA PRENSA

test: A medical student at the Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas conducts laboratory studies to detect the Hanta virus. 952363

A 38-year-old woman has died from the Hanta virus in the community of La Zumbona, in the municipality of Rio Grande, Veraguas. Regional director of the Ministerio de Salud (Minsa), Romelia de la Guardia, disclosed the death yesterday.

The Hanta virus is a deadly, pulmonary disease humans can get when they come into contact with infected rodents or their urine and droppings.

Another incidence of the disease in the same province has been reported. But in that case, the patient recovered in a local medical center.

A third case remains open and is classified as "suspect."

Thirteen cases of the Hanta virus have been confirmed since it was first reported in Veraguas in 2003. Eleven of those were in the district of Soná and two others in other districts.

Patients affected by the Hanta virus typically suffer from fevers lasting from three to five days. Early symptoms include headache, chills, dizziness, non-productive cough, nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal symptoms.

"Malaise, diarrhea, and lightheadedness are reported by approximately half of all patients, with less frequent reports of arthralgias, back pain, and abdominal pain," according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention.