Mystery illness death toll climbs to 17 in Panama
Pastor Dale Morgan
Thursday October 5, 9:19 AM Reuters
*Mystery illness death toll climbs to 17 in Panama*
PANAMA CITY (Reuters) - The death toll from a mystery illness in Panama
has risen to at least 17, with 10 others still suffering but recovering
from fever, diarrhea and partial paralysis, the Health Ministry said on
Wednesday.
Doctors do not know the cause but say the disease progresses rapidly to
the renal system and causes neurological damage.
Two more people suffering from the unidentified illness died on
Wednesday, health minister Camilo Alleyne told reporters. He also bumped
up the number of people fighting the mystery disease to 10 from seven.
Up to Tuesday the disease had killed 15 over the last month, the
ministry said.
The ministry declared a national epidemic alert on Tuesday.
The dead were all over 60 years of age and most were already suffering
from high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney problems.
The illness does not seem to be contagious and dengue fever, influenza,
West Nile virus and other illnesses have been ruled out.