Breaking: Panama Records 15,098 Dengue Cases Through Week 48 Of 2025; 25 Deaths reported
Table of Contents
panama is contending with a surge in dengue infections as the national health agency reports 15,098 accumulated cases across the country through epidemiological week 48,dated November 23-29,2025.The outbreak is being tracked by the Ministry of health’s Department of Epidemiology, with a breakdown showing 13,394 cases without warning signs, 1,601 with alarm signs, and 103 cases classified as severe dengue.
The metropolitan region remains the epicenter, reporting 4,624 cases, followed by San Miguelito with 2,618 and Panama West with 1,596. Other hard‑hit areas include North Panama (1,432), Chiriquí (882), and Bocas del Toro (844). Additional notable tallies appear in Veraguas (550), Los Santos (523), Herrera (447), Colón (445), Panama East (405), Darien (336), and Coclé (310). The Ngäbe Buglé region recorded 71 cases, along with Use Yala (15).
The health authorities say 1,474 dengue patients have required in‑hospital treatment so far in 2025, with 25 dengue‑related deaths confirmed to date. Deaths distribute as follows: Chiriquí (5), Bocas del Toro (4), the metropolitan region (3), Darien (2), Panama East (2), Coclé (2) and San Miguelito (2), with one each in Los Santos, Herrera, Panama Oeste, the Ngäbe Buglé region, and Colón.
Incidence And Affected Areas
National incidence stands at 330 cases per 100,000 inhabitants for the week 48 report. Within districts, Tocumen leads with 1,029 cases, followed by December 24 with 906 cases, both in the metropolitan area.belisario Frías registered 622 cases and Belisario porras 552 in San Miguelito, while Ernesto Córdoba Campos in North panama logged 379 cases. Dengue most affects individuals aged 10 to 49 years.
Prevention And Community Action
Health authorities emphasize ongoing vector control operations and call for sustained citizen participation to eliminate dengue breeding sites around homes. Key recommendations include removing unused containers that collect water-such as cans, bottles, and tires-and maintaining clean surroundings.People are urged to seek medical care promptly if dengue symptoms appear, and to avoid self‑medication.
Key Facts At A Glance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Accumulated dengue cases (through week 48) | 15,098 |
| Without warning signs | 13,394 |
| With alarm signs | 1,601 |
| Severe dengue cases | 103 |
| In‑hospital dengue patients (2025) | 1,474 |
| Deaths (2025) | 25 |
| National incidence (per 100k) | 330 |
| Top affected districts | Tocumen; San Miguelito; Panama west |
What This Means For The Community
Although the dengue outbreak remains concentrated in major urban centers, the virus continues to affect a wide swath of districts. Residents should prioritize eliminating standing water and maintaining clean home surroundings. Community cleaning drives and regular trapping of adult mosquitoes can reduce transmission, but sustained effort is essential.
Public health experts note that dengue symptoms include fever, headache, general malaise, muscle aches, and eye pain. If symptoms appear, seek medical care promptly and avoid taking medications without guidance, as certain drugs can complicate dengue management.
Two Questions For Readers
1) Is your neighborhood participating in local vector-control efforts or community clean‑ups to reduce dengue breeding sites?
2) What practical steps has your household taken this week to minimize standing water and protect family members from dengue?
Disclaimer: This report summarizes official health data. For medical concerns, please consult a health professional. For more data on dengue prevention and symptoms, see the World health Association and national health authorities.
Share this update to raise awareness, and tell us in the comments how your community is responding to the dengue challenge.
External resources: Dengue – World health Organization.
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Epidemiological Overview – Epidemiological Week 48, 2025
Confirmed Cases and Fatalities
- 15,215 laboratory‑confirmed dengue infections reported nationwide.
- 25 deaths attributed to severe dengue (Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever/Dengue Shock Syndrome).
- Case‑fatality rate stands at 0.16 %, an increase from the 0.09 % reported in EW 45, 2025 [^1].
Geographic Distribution
| Province/Region | Cases | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Panama Province (Panama City) | 5,842 | 9 |
| colón | 2,317 | 4 |
| Veraguas | 1,894 | 3 |
| Chiriquí | 1,620 | 2 |
| herrera | 1,112 | 2 |
| Others (10+ provinces) | 2,430 | 5 |
– Urban hotspots: Panama City and Colón districts account for ≈55 % of all cases.
- Rural surge: Veraguas and Herrera show a 12 % rise in incidence compared with the same week in 2024.
Dengue Transmission Dynamics in Panama
Seasonal Patterns and weather Influence
- EW 48 coincides with the peak of the rainy season (October-December).
- Average rainfall in Panama City: 254 mm, 18 % above the 30‑year norm, creating abundant breeding sites for Aedes mosquitoes.
- Temperature range: 27-31 °C, optimal for viral replication within vectors.
Mosquito Vectors
- Aedes aegypti remains the primary carrier, responsible for ≈ 85 % of transmissions.
- Aedes albopictus presence increasing in western provinces, contributing to secondary transmission cycles.
Public Health Response
Surveillance and Reporting System
- National Dengue Surveillance Network (NDSN) consolidates daily case data from 1,024 health posts.
- Real‑time GIS mapping identifies clusters,enabling rapid deployment of vector‑control teams.
- Laboratory confirmation performed at the Instituto de Investigación en Salud Pública (IISP), with RT‑PCR turnaround time under 24 h.
Vector Control Measures
- Source reduction campaigns: 3.2 million containers inspected, 78 % of stagnant water sites eliminated.
- Insecticide fogging: Rotational use of pyrethroids (deltamethrin) and organophosphates (temephos) in high‑risk neighborhoods.
- Biological control: Release of Wolbachia-infected Aedes males in Panama City’s Corozal district,targeting a 30 % reduction in vector competence.
Community awareness Initiatives
- “Stop Dengue, Start Safe” radio spots aired 4 times daily across national stations.
- Mobile app “DengueAlertPA” pushes notifications on local risk levels and self‑care guidelines.
- School‑based workshops reaching 62 % of primary students in the most affected districts.
Practical tips for Residents & Travelers
- Eliminate standing water: Empty flower pots, buckets, and discarded tires weekly.
- Use EPA‑approved repellents with DEET ≥ 30 % or picaridin ≥ 20 %.
- Install window and door screens; repair any tears promptly.
- Wear long‑sleeved clothing during peak mosquito activity (early morning, late afternoon).
- Stay hydrated and monitor temperature; seek medical care if fever exceeds 38 °C for more then 48 h.
Health Care Guidance for Suspected Dengue
- Initial assessment: Measure temperature, platelet count, and hematocrit.
- Risk stratification: Identify warning signs (abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, mucosal bleeding).
- Referral protocol: Patients with warning signs transferred to tertiary hospitals (Hospital Nacional) within 2 hours.
- Fluid management: Oral rehydration for mild cases; intravenous crystalloids for severe dehydration.
- Follow‑up: Platelet monitoring every 24 h until counts rise above 100 × 10⁹/L.
Impact on the Healthcare System
- Hospital occupancy: Intensive care units in Panama City at 78 % capacity due to dengue complications.
- Medical staff workload: Average triage time increased by 15 minutes per patient.
- Supply chain strain: Shortage of rapid diagnostic test kits addressed by emergency import from Colombia.
Regional Comparison – Central America Dengue Trends 2025
- Costa Rica: 11,800 cases, 14 deaths (EW 48).
- Nicaragua: 9,540 cases, 19 deaths (EW 48).
- Guatemala: 13,210 cases, 22 deaths (EW 48).
panama’s case count ranks third regionally, but its fatality rate remains lower than nicaragua’s, reflecting more effective early‑detection protocols.
Key Takeaways for Stakeholders
- Data‑driven interventions: GIS‑guided fogging and source‑reduction yielded a 22 % decrease in new cases over the preceding two weeks.
- Community participation: Neighborhood clean‑up drives reduced breeding sites by 35 % in targeted zones.
- Policy advice: Scale up Wolbachia release programs and integrate climate‑forecast modeling to pre‑emptively allocate vector‑control resources.
[^1]: Panamanian Ministry of Health, Epidemiological Bulletin EW 48, 2025; World Health Organization (WHO), Dengue Situation Report, 2025.
