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[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [HEALTH]

2 clusters · 5 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

Malaria outbreak in Panama City

Overview

The Panama Ministry of Health (Minsa) has identified a malaria outbreak centered around the Merca Panamá food distribution market in Panama City. Initially, officials confirmed 34 cases among informal workers, noting that the infections were likely linked to individuals arriving from endemic provinces who had entered forested areas near the market.

By October 18, the number of confirmed positive cases rose to 37. The outbreak primarily affects workers in the wooded areas surrounding the wholesale market. In response, health authorities have implemented reactive surveillance, including mass laboratory testing, treatment distribution, and vector control measures such as fumigation and wetland treatments. Officials have emphasized that the disease is spread by mosquitoes and cannot be transmitted through food or direct person-to-person contact.

Entities

Ministry of Health · Panama City · Merca Panamá · Hospital Santo Tomás · Social Security Fund

Timeline

  1. [INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
    Panama manages malaria outbreak, clinic shooting, and medical service shifts

    Panama faces a malaria outbreak near a major food market, a shooting at the Veracruz Health Center wounding two, and the reorganization of hemodialysis services following a recent earthquake.

  2. [HEALTH] 4 sources
    Panama Ministry of Health controls 34 malaria cases in Panama City

    Panama's Ministry of Health has contained 34 malaria cases detected near the Merca Panamá market in Panama City, linking the infections to individuals arriving from endemic regions.

Sources

destinopanama.com.pa · newsroompanama.com · panamaamerica.com.pa · riotimesonline.com · tvn-2.com