The latest report issued by the Department of Epidemiology, the Ministry of Health (Minsa), at week No 27, on the updated cases of monkeypox, dengue, hantavirus, malaria, leishmaniasis, Chikunguya and Zika in the country.
Monkeypox (Monkeypox)
In the epidemiological week No. 27 (corresponding from Sunday 2 to Saturday July 8) it continues for several consecutive weeks, without confirming new cases of monkeypox, with which the confirmed cases accumulated to July 8 remain at 237; of which 89 cases were during the year 2022 and 148 cases, so far in 2023 (146 men and 2 women).
There are no active cases or in home isolation, or hospitalized, 1 death remains and 236 people completed their isolation, without major setbacks. Until June 27, 1,775 doses against monkeypox have been placed (1,275 first dose and 500 second dose).
The report highlights that there are 2,700 confirmed cases of dengue throughout the country. The regions with the most positive cases are: Bocas del Toro with 667 cases; Columbus with 569 cases; Panama Metro with 444 cases; North Panama with 254 cases; West Panama with 236 cases and San Miguelito with 177 cases.
The Ministry of Health (MINSA) reiterates the importance of keeping homes and the work environment clean, checking door screens, windows, and looking under sinks, as these are places where there may be breeding sites for the transmitting mosquito.
Hantavirus cases are confirmed in 26 cumulative cases across the country; of which with hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome, thirteen (13) cases are confirmed and with hantavirus fever there are thirteen (13) cases.
In total, so far in 2023, 26 cases have been confirmed, (25 are alive and 1 death) registered in the province of Herrera.
These 26 confirmed cases, 17 cases have been verified in the provinces of Los Santos; Herrera with 6 cases and Coclé with 3 cases.
The Minsa emphasizes that people keep their home and their environment clean, also collected grains (such as rice and corn), store and seal them to prevent the rodent from having contact and leaving their feces and urine in the surroundings.
• Malaria
During epidemiological week No. 27, 38 new cases of malaria have been confirmed (29 in Guna Yala; 6 in East Panama; 1 in Darién, 1 in Panama Metro and 1 in San Miguelito). of the year 2023, of 5 thousand 262 cases.
The Minsa continues to reinforce the strategies to mitigate the cases of malaria in the country, the promotion and prevention strategies in these areas, distributing mosquito nets with chemicals and also, reinforcing the operational capacity and the supply of medicines against this disease throughout the country.
• Leishmaniasis, Chikunguya and Zika
Regarding the cases of Leishmaniasis, during epidemiological week No. 27, 15 active cases are confirmed, of which 3 are from Bocas del Toro, 3 in North Panama, 3 in West Panama, 2 in Veraguas, 1 in San Miguelito and 1 in Cocle. So far in 2023, there have been 921 confirmed cases.
Seven (7) cases of Chikungunya remain, distributed in the sectors of North Panama in Alcalde Díaz; San Miguelito, in the José Domingo Espinar sector; in West Panama, Burunga sector and in the metropolitan region, in El Chorrillo.
And in this week No. 27, three cases of Zika are confirmed, (1 in Panama Norte-Chilibre; 1 in Metetí, Darién and 1 in Tocumen, Panama Metro).
