First death from hantavirus was recorded in Herrera

A 58-year-old woman from the province of Herrera was the first victim of the hantavirus this 2022, as reported by the health region of this region.

The lady was diagnosed with hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome at the Dr. Cecilio A. Castillero hospital in Chitré on February 6, the patient was referred to the Dr. Gustavo Nelson Collado hospital, with symptoms such as fever and respiratory distress.

Once the diagnosis was confirmed, a multidisciplinary team from the Ministry of Health (Minsa) in Herrera traveled to the community of El Jazmín, in order to locate possible risk factors in the surroundings of the house.

This is how at least eight mice transmitting the disease were captured through traps placed in areas near crops and grain storage sites, which will be sent to the Gorgas Memorial Institute for analysis.

The Minsa, in conjunction with the local authorities of the community, will carry out cleaning and waste collection sessions, as well as training the residents to improve their style of storage and disposal of crop residues, after the process of planting and harvest.