BRIEFS. Health

Officials confirm second death in veraguas

la prensa

remote: Some Veraguas residents are isolated from medical care. 1109973

The Ministry of Health has confirmed one of the deaths that was recently reported in the community of Alto Limón, in the province of Veraguas.

According to Romelia de la Guardia, regional health director for the province, officials recently toured the area to investigate claims that 10 children had recently died of illnesses caused by respiratory problems.

De la Guardia said that officials were able to confirm two deaths, one of which they had previously known about.

Officials plan to conduct follow up investigations, as well as tours of the village of Llano Ñopo, where five such deaths had been reported. Officials were not able to confirm any of those deaths.

Last year, 41 people, mostly children, died from respiratory illnesses in the area, leading health officials to expand medical facilities there. Residents have requested that such facilities be expanded.