Panama reports rise in dengue, Central America report 98% increase compared to last year
Panama’s health ministry (MINSA) is redoubling measures to prevent dengue and intensify surveillance in view of the possible introduction into the country of the cosmopolitan genotype of the DENV-2 serotype, which is already circulating in a large part of the Americas.
The new genotype has caused a large-scale epidemic with hospitalizations and deaths in countries in the region.
Through the first seven months of the year, MINSA reports a total of 11,815 cumulative cases of dengue have been confirmed to date throughout the country. The regions with the most positive cases are: Panama Metro with 3,434; Colon with 1,690; Panama West with 1,230; Chiriqui with 974; Panama North with 901; Bocas del Toro with 807 and Panama East with 743.
In addition, 23 deaths have been recorded—By region—Colón 8, Chiriquí 4, Panama Metro 4, Panama East 2, Panama North, Coclé 1, Panama West 1, Guna Yala region 1.
On July 29, Panama declared a health alert in the regions of Panama Metro, Colon, Panama East and Panama West due to the high incidence of cases.
Carmen Pérez, head of Vector Control at the Ministry of Health, highlighted the fundamental role of the general population in combating dengue.
"The main strategy that each of us Panamanians must use is to search for and eliminate breeding sites, then the actions focus on treating the adult mosquito with chemicals or thermal fogging," she said.
She also said that the Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies has identified this year the circulation of the four serotypes (DENV1, DENV2, DENV3 and DENV4).
Likewise, Dr. Pérez stressed that until epidemiological week No. 31, the cosmopolitan genotype of the DENV-2 serotype had not been detected in the country.
Countries in the region maintain a situation with respect to the increase in dengue cases similar to that of Panama.
These include Costa Rica, Honduras, Colombia, and El Salvador, which also have high rates of dengue cases, which is why the PAHO reiterated the need to combat the vector and control the immature form, which consists of finding and eliminating breeding sites.
According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), this year the subregion has seen a 98% increase compared to the previous year. At the level of the Americas, 2024 has become a record year, with more than 11 million reported cases and more than 5,900 related deaths.