Panama’s Ministry of Health has activated emergency protocols after confirming two imported measles cases. Foreign nationals brought the disease into the country through separate entry points. Officials announced the situation this week as they race to contain any potential spread.
The patients arrived through different routes. One tourist traveled through Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica before entering Panama. This person visited the popular tourist destination of Bocas del Toro between April 23 and 27. The second patient entered through Tocumen International Airport after arriving from Costa Rica.
Health Officials Activate Emergency Response
Dr. Pablo Gonzalez, head of Epidemiology at the Ministry of Health, confirmed that protocols launched on Wednesday. These include patient isolation and contact tracing. Both patients were hospitalized with gastrointestinal symptoms. They recovered and received medical discharge. They no longer pose a contagion risk, Gonzalez said.
“The most important thing for us right now is the follow-up of contacts of these two confirmed cases. This helps us avoid or identify secondary cases resulting from these two imported cases in a timely manner.” [Translated from Spanish]
Authorities are especially concerned about people who visited Bocas del Toro between April 23 and 27. During that period, the infected tourist traveled between islands, used public transportation and visited various businesses. The Ministry urges anyone with symptoms who was in the area during those dates to contact health officials immediately.
Contact Tracing Efforts Expand Across Panama
The Ministry deployed more than 140 health workers across multiple regions. Officials initially identified 494 contacts. After verification, that number dropped to 394 people. About 70 percent of these individuals are vaccinated, Gonzalez stated. Health teams are vaccinating the remaining contacts.
Officials are also tracking passengers who traveled on bus route 38 between April 27 and 28. Approximately 50 people used that service, mostly tourists. Gonzalez acknowledged some people contacted by phone showed distrust. He urged cooperation.
“We are not asking for money or anything like that. If you are unsure about confirming you traveled during the period of the 27th to the 28th to Panama, the bus route number is 38.” [Translated from Spanish]
Twenty-eight people remain under monitoring in San Miguelito. They had contact with the case detected in Bocas del Toro. None have shown symptoms so far.
Symptoms and Vaccination Recommendations
Health authorities list these measles symptoms: high fever, nasal congestion, cough, red eyes, general discomfort and skin rashes. The main recommendation involves checking vaccination records. Children under 18 and adults without proof of immunization should get vaccinated.
“If we find evidence of that vaccination, you don’t need to get vaccinated. If you don’t have evidence on your card, then it is recommended to get vaccinated to be safe.” [Translated from Spanish]
People over 60 with questions about their immunization status can receive the vaccine. Pregnant women should not get vaccinated because it contains a live attenuated virus. The Ministry currently has 245,000 doses available. Another 200,000 doses are expected soon. During the first weeks of the Americas vaccination campaign, Panama administered about 360,000 doses.
The Ministry follows the Measles surveillance protocol established by the Pan American Health Organization. Gonzalez reminded the public that the measles vaccine is available at all health centers across the country.