BRIEFS: Health

Another Hanta virus death confirmed

Three youths, 13, 17 and 18, have died so far this year in the province of Coclé because of the Hanta virus, according to figures provided by the Ministry of Health.

The cases occurred in the districts of Natá, Olá y Aguadulce, though infections have been reported in other provinces since the disease first appeared in Panama in 2000. The Ministry of Health confirmed the latest death yesterday. The victim, 17, was a native of the community of Villarreal, in the Natá district. He died on Sept. 21.

Francisco Navarro, regional health director for the province of Coclé, said that officials at the Gorgas Memorial Institute confirmed that the death was caused by the Hanta virus. The officials made that determination after examining tissue samples of the victim.