GREETING KISSES and handshakes should be avoided during the current flu  outbreak  say Panama health authorities after the announcement of the 13^th death from the A H1N1 virus  on  Sunday, June 12.

The patient had been  hospitalized for five days in the Hospital Rafael Hernandez in David, Chiriqui. Reinel Camargo, medical director of the hospital said the patient had a compromised disease and came with a "serious respiratory problem."

Before the weekend the Ministry of Health (MoH)  had reported 12 deaths and 547 hospitalized for influenza.

On Sunday the first case of influenza in Bocas del Toro was reported and in common with the rest of the country all government clinics are extending hurs and offering free vaccinations.

Meanwhile the MoH recommends

- Avoid unnecessary contact, such as kissing and greeting handshakes.

- frequent hand washing  with soap and water.

- Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing (use tissue or your elbow).

- If respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, runny nose, fever, difficulty breathing, occur you need to go to the health center or nearest polyclinic.

- Don’t self-medicate.

- Avoid places with high concentration of people if you are sick.