BRIEFS. Health

Ministry to focus on hanta virus

Vielka Corro Ríos/la prensa

nabbed: Ministry of Health officials are looking to test rats in Los Santos to see how many carry the hanta virus.1146500

Improving housing conditions and distributing poison to control rodent populations are the strategies adopted by the Ministry of Health to counter cases of hanta virus in the province of Los Santos.

In 2008, the province reported 14 cases of the virus, which causes heart and respiratory problems. A total of four deaths were attributed to the virus, a disease spread by rats.

Regional Health Director Duilio Taylor said that homeowners could be fined if they fail to keep their residences cleaned up.

The fines start at under $100, but can be substantially increased if the problem persists.

Taylor noted that efforts are being coordinated with local authorities in the districts of Las Tablas, Pocrí, Pedasí, Tonosí, Guararé and Macaracas.

The official added that, in the district of Tonosí, where the latest death was reported, traps will be set to catch rodents to help the ministry determine what percentage of them are carrying the virus.

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