Swine flu epidemic leads Panama's Health Minister to resign
Panama's Health Minister, Francisco Javier Terrientes, has resigned over a deadly outbreak of swine flu, which has so far claimed 22 lives and hospitalised 671. The nation has issued a national alert on A(H1N1) influenza concerned that country is on the brink of a flu epidemic. The virus has proven particularly dangerous in Panama this year and the outbreak has ignited a panic rush for vaccinations at hospitals, which are now overrun, however, the government has said it will make one million more doses of the vaccine available next week.

Panama's health minister resigned on Wednesday, the government said, amid a swine flu outbreak that has claimed 22 lives and sparked a panicked rush for vaccinations.

Francisco Javier Terrientes "today presented his resignation from his post for professional reasons," the government said in a statement.

It added that President Juan Carlos Varela had appointed the deputy health minister, Miguel Mayo, to take Terrientes' place.

Panama's hospitals and clinics are overrun by people wanting vaccinations against the A(H1N1) flu virus which has proved particularly dangerous this year in Panama.

Since early May, 22 people have died of the virus and 671 were hospitalized, of whom nearly half remain admitted and 38 are in intensive care.

Panama's government has announced it would make nearly one million more doses of A(H1N1) vaccines available by next week.

A(H1N1), or swine flu, was first detected in 2009, spreading from the United States to Mexico and prompting the World Health Organization to declare a pandemic that year.

This subtype of the flu virus causes a respiratory infection whose symptoms can be mild or fatal.

In tropical zones such as Panama, it can occur year round, especially during the rainy season, which has now begun in the Central American country.

© 2016 AFP