{"id":18167,"date":"2026-10-20T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/?p=18167"},"modified":"2026-10-20T16:53:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T21:53:26","slug":"first-the-quake-now-hantavirus-40-year-old-woman-in-icu-in-los-santos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/health\/first-the-quake-now-hantavirus-40-year-old-woman-in-icu-in-los-santos\/","title":{"rendered":"First the Quake, Now Hantavirus: 40-Year-Old Woman in ICU in Los Santos"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A hantavirus case confirmed Monday by Panama’s Ministry of Health<\/a> involves a 40-year-old woman from the community of Montero in Guarar\u00e9 district<\/a>. The patient remains in intensive care<\/a> as medical teams work to stabilize her lung function and overall condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health officials said the woman began showing symptoms on October 10, one day after the seismic event<\/a> that struck the region. The ministry emphasized the case has no connection to the earthquake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Obtaining
Obtaining urine from a hantavirus-infected deer mouse By Hanta1. – Own work.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hantavirus Case<\/a> Confirmed and Transmission Details<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Ministry of Health explained that hantavirus is transmitted by rodents, not from person to person. Initial symptoms are respiratory and typically appear between one and eight weeks after exposure to infected rodent droppings, urine, or saliva.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Epidemiological surveillance remains active in the area as authorities monitor for additional cases. The ministry issued a statement clarifying the timeline of symptom onset to dispel any public concern linking the illness to the October 9 earthquake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Hanta
Epidemiological surveillance remains active in the area as authorities monitor for additional cases. Hanta Virus on the microscope. By CDC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Patient Status and Medical Response<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Medical personnel are performing procedures aimed at improving the patient’s pulmonary function. Her condition requires continuous monitoring in the intensive care unit, according to the health ministry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local health teams in Guarar\u00e9 have been alerted to strengthen prevention measures and community education about rodent control. Residents are urged to keep homes clean and store food properly to reduce contact with rodents that carry the virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Una publicaci\u00f3n compartida por Telemetro Reporta (@treporta)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n