Panama has reinforced preventive measures to avoid the entrance of A/H1N1 influenza, the capital city's health director, Lucas Lopez, said on Wednesday.

Lopez said Panama has strengthened the epidemic vigilance system in its main ports and airports and on its borders.

However, he warned that there are high possibilities for the virus to spread into the country due to its commercial dynamic and the high frequency of international trips.

According to Lopez, the preventive measures to control the flights from the countries affected by the flu virus have contributed to delaying the entry of the disease to Panama.

Meanwhile, the Panamanian Health Ministry bought 70,000 dosages of the anti-flu drug Tamiflu and created a US$5 million fund to face the threat of the virus.

Up to now, 19 suspected cases of H1N1 flu have been registered in the Central American country but after the tests 18 cases were cleared. The result of the remaining case is not out yet.

(Xinhua News Agency May 7, 2009)