{"id":13212,"date":"2026-05-10T19:45:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T00:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/?p=13212"},"modified":"2026-05-10T09:28:54","modified_gmt":"2026-05-10T14:28:54","slug":"panama-confirms-first-measles-imported-by-foreign-travelers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/health\/panama-confirms-first-measles-imported-by-foreign-travelers\/","title":{"rendered":"Panama Confirms First Measles Imported by Foreign Travelers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Health authorities in Panama have confirmed the country’s first two cases of Measles<\/a> in recent years. The Ministry of Health announced the diagnosis on Friday, triggering an immediate public health response across Panama Oeste province.<\/p>\n

Epidemiological teams have already visited more than 50 homes in three communities. They are tracking down anyone who came into direct or indirect contact with the infected travelers. The operation focuses on Burunga, Juan Dem\u00f3stenes Arosemena, and the Guadalupe district in La Chorrera.<\/p>\n

Both patients are foreign nationals who recently entered the country. Officials stress these are imported cases, not local transmission. But one infected traveler did interact with residents in Panama Oeste and visited local health facilities. That contact activated prevention protocols.<\/p>\n

Health workers are checking vaccination records and administering booster doses. They are targeting people who may have missed their routine shots.<\/p>\n

Health Teams Conduct Door to Door Checks<\/h2>\n

Lorena Merlo is the regional epidemiology coordinator for Panama Oeste. She explained the strategy during the community visits.<\/p>\n

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We were locating contacts and verifying that they had their complete doses of MR and MMR vaccines. [Translated from Spanish]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

None of the monitored individuals showed symptoms during evaluation. But authorities will maintain Epidemiological surveillance<\/a> to catch any potential cases early.<\/p>\n

The first patient is a Dutch citizen who entered Panama<\/a> through the Paso Canoas border crossing. The second case involves an 18 year old Swiss woman who arrived at Tocumen International Airport. Both cases are classified as imported infections.<\/p>\n

\"3840px
Child with Measles By Julien Harneis – https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/julien_harneis\/4140374881\/in\/photolist-7iSvcP-msUXVn-msUYzD-9oqG18-9e9Rsh-5BwaSn-5BzZds-7iWja3-dPFfTm-6K7TqH-36m9b6-9RRXyz-6K7SWF-dPzDcr-7iWeAN-q8vTgu-6KbeKG-6MrUs3-5Bw7oe-cBbQgq-5A8nSn-aq4kh8-7nyyoW-5Bz4fm-9RRXyx-5zYhmR-7JcSmt-5BwqV4-VRF5h6-8mZjFP-FcT4V-36mmPk-guChFj-guCQHX-guCQM4-mLfshS-guCQPi-guDcgS-hhVydF-aTBJyT-guDcu7-9FVzWV-mLdAvF-7WkNfg-7nxeDb-7WkSe2-7nxwSN-34Horj-5knR8g-7nxFhf, CC BY-SA 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=62849862<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Separate Health Incident Under Investigation<\/h2>\n

Authorities are also looking into a separate report from the Latin Academy in Arraij\u00e1n. Some students there developed lesions on their arms and legs. A private clinic notified health officials about the situation.<\/p>\n

Epidemiology teams will evaluate the students on Monday. Preliminary assessments suggest the symptoms might be allergic reactions. Migratory moths or butterflies often cause such reactions during this season. Officials do not believe these cases are linked to measles.<\/p>\n

The Ministry of Health<\/a> is urging the public to stay vigilant. Measles symptoms include high fever above 39 degrees Celsius, red skin spots, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, and small white spots inside the mouth.<\/p>\n

Vaccination remains the primary prevention method. Health officials are asking parents to check their children’s immunization cards. They want families to complete all required doses of MR and MMR vaccines.<\/p>\n

This is a developing story. Health teams continue their community sweeps across Panama Oeste this week.<\/p>\n

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