The Panamanian government on Monday launched a massive media campaign to stop the spread of the influenza A/H1N1 virus.

"We have talked about the necessity of this message being clear, responsible, uniform and based on scientific evidences on the behavior of the virus, for the people to be alert on the preventive measures," Health Minister Rosario Turner told owners and high level managers of local media organizations.

Fifteen confirmed H1N1 flu cases have been reported in the country, according to the latest figures.

Fernando Correa, president of the Panamanian Association of Radio, said his institution took part in the campaign not for profit but the benefit of the people.

"To help the people calm down and make them understand it is not a mortal virus, which needs special medication and precise medicines," Correa said.

Nicolas Gonzalez Revilla, representative of Corporation Medcom TV channel, the biggest in the country, said the campaign would involve all sectors of the country.

The Panamanian government has intensified preventative measures against the flu, urging citizens to use facial masks, wash their hands and to seek medical help if showing flu-like symptoms.

Among the 15 confirmed cases in Panama, eight were directly related to the first case, a young man who had been in the United States.

Two other cases were indirectly related with the first one, and the other cases were related to a foreigner who came from Mexico and a traveler coming from the United States.