Panama City. — Dengue in Panama claimed its first two fatal victims of 2026 during epidemiological week 5 (February 1-7), during which 882 confirmed cases were registered, according to the latest report from the Ministry of Health (Minsa). According to the official report, 97 patients required hospitalization, and three cases were classified as severe, which keeps the national health system on alert. The disease is transmitted by the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, a vector that proliferates in stagnant water environments, especially during the rainy season. Regions with the most dengue cases in Panama: The Metropolitan Region, which includes the capital, and the district of San Miguelito have the highest number of infections, with 315 accumulated cases. They are followed by: Bocas del Toro: 92 cases; West Panama: 86 cases; Colón: 83 cases. Authorities reiterated the call to reinforce prevention measures, eliminate breeding sites, and seek medical attention for symptoms such as high fever, muscle pain, retro-orbital pain, and skin rashes. Group most affected by dengue: The epidemiological report highlights that the most impacted age group is 15 to 19 years, with an incidence rate of 18.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, which demonstrates the need to strengthen prevention campaigns aimed at adolescents and young people. Comparison with previous years: Panama closed 2025 with 28 deaths from dengue, representing a decrease of 51.8% compared to 2024, when 54 deaths were registered. Regarding accumulated cases, in 2025, 16,262 infections were reported, a figure significantly lower than the 32,361 cases counted in 2024, according to official statistics. However, the start of 2026 with fatal victims in the first epidemiological weeks keeps health authorities concerned.
