Mystery Disease Kills 17 in Panama

巴拿马神秘疾病导致十七人亡

Panama's health ministry says the death toll from a mystery illness has risen to 17. Officials said Wednesday that two more people suffering from the condition died. They say the unidentified disease attacks the kidneys and causes neurological damage. All the dead were over 60 years old, and were already suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney problems. Panama has declared a national epidemic alert, but the health ministry says the illness does not appear to be contagious.　Ten other Panamanians are recovering from the disease, after suffering fever, diarrhea and partial paralysis.

巴拿马卫生部说， 一种神秘疾病造成的死亡人数上升到了17人。有关官员星期三说， 又有两名患者死于这种疾病。他们说，这种不明疾病侵害患者肝脏，导致神经系统损伤。死者年龄都在60岁以上，而且都患有高血压、糖尿病和肾功能疾病。巴拿马宣布了全国流行病警告，但是卫生部说，这种疾病看来并不传染。其他10位出现高烧、腹泻和局部麻痹症状的巴拿马人正在恢复之中。