Panama reports first malaria deaths since 2017
The Panama Ministry of Health (Minsa) reports that two deaths from malaria have been recorded in the country this year. The victims are two minors, a 15-year-old girl from Eastern Panama in February, and a 10-year-old girl from Veraguas in March.
These are the first deaths from this disease since 2017, amid a sustained increase in cases. In 2023, 11,659 cases of malaria were reported, and in 2024, a total of 15,109 cases were reported, representing a sustained increase in the transmission of this disease.
This increase has been linked to factors such as increased human mobility toward areas of active transmission and the effects of climate variability and change, which can favor the proliferation of the transmitting mosquito and contact with vulnerable populations.
Malaria is a potentially serious infectious disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium, which is transmitted to humans primarily through the bite of infected female mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles.
Symptoms usually appear between 9 and 17 days after the bite and can include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating, abdominal pain, and more. In severe cases, malaria can lead to serious complications such as cerebral malaria, kidney failure, severe anemia, or damage to vital organs.
The Ministry of Health recommends that people living in or traveling to high-risk areas use insecticide-treated mosquito nets, apply repellent to their skin and clothing, and wear long-sleeved clothing, especially during peak mosquito activity times.
The Ministry of Health reaffirms its commitment to epidemiological surveillance and vector control and urges citizens to actively collaborate with prevention strategies and to seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms consistent with malaria.