Panama dengue surge prompts alert; Guatemala warns of moderate air quality

Health officials in Panama's Chiriquí province reported 237 confirmed dengue cases during the first half of the year, with the district of David accounting for 153 cases. The Ministry of Health highlighted infestation rates of the Aedes aegypti mosquito as high as 6% in several communities and warned that inadequate removal of standing water could increase transmission risk. No dengue‑related deaths have been recorded in the province so far, and authorities urged residents to eliminate breeding sites and allow vector‑control teams access to homes.

In Guatemala, the Ministry of Health Public Assistance and Social Welfare said that air‑quality monitoring showed a moderate level of PM2.5 in Quetzaltenango and Petén. Residents were advised to limit outdoor exposure, especially between 06:00–09:00 and 16:00–18:00, stay indoors when possible, and use masks if they must be outside. The ministry also recommended seeking medical care for any respiratory, eye or skin symptoms linked to air pollution.