Two people died of hemorrhagic dengue fever in the Central American country this week, alarming sanitary authorities. Several cases of classic dengue fever occur in Panama every year.

    "Controlling the Aedes mosquito that led to two deaths this week will not be achieved without educating our community," said Roberto A. Cambra, an expert on mosquito research.

    "When combating mosquitoes it is not enough to sanction or fine people. Such measures will not really be a good solution to this public health problem if people are not educated on the subject", he said.

    Ministry of Health officials who work on the campaign against dengue fever must be better prepared to inform local population on how to eradicate breeding grounds for mosquitoes, said Cambra, from the University of Panama.

    Cambra said larvae have even been found in domestic refrigerator and washing-machine trays in some homes, which underscores the true dimension of the problem in Panama.