Panama’s Ministry of Health (Minsa) has confirmed eight deaths from influenza during the first week of 2026. The fatalities occurred between January 4 and 10, prompting health officials to issue a public alert about rising cases.
The deaths were recorded across multiple regions including Panama Metro, the Ngäbe Buglé Comarca, Chiriquí, Bocas del Toro, Coclé, and San Miguelito. A significant majority of the victims, 75 percent, were adults over the age of 60. Two of the deceased were children under five years old.
Vaccination Status and Comorbidities Highlighted in Fatal Cases
Health data reveals a stark correlation between the fatalities and vaccination status. An overwhelming 87.5 percent of those who died had not received the annual influenza vaccine. Officials also noted that 62.5 percent of the individuals had underlying medical conditions, or a comorbidity, which can increase the severity of respiratory infections.
Catherine Castillo from the Ministry’s Department of Epidemiological Surveillance stated the country has now entered an alert threshold. The recent cluster of deaths signals a significant and concerning increase in severe outcomes from the virus.
“Panama is in an alert threshold, with a significant increase in deaths associated with influenza being recorded,” said Catherine Castillo of the Minsa Department of Epidemiological Surveillance. [Translated from Spanish]
The Ministry is urgently reiterating its call for preventive measures. They emphasize frequent hand washing, covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and using a mask when respiratory symptoms are present. Their primary recommendation remains getting vaccinated at local health centers.
This early-year spike has intensified the ministry’s epidemiological surveillance efforts. Health teams are monitoring for further outbreaks and working to increase vaccine accessibility, particularly for high-risk groups like the elderly and young children. The situation underscores the virus’s unpredictable nature even outside traditional peak seasons.