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The odds are pretty small that you will catch any tropical diseases if you visit or even stay to live in Panama. For example, yellow fever which killed so many workers during the construction of the Panama Canal has not been seen in Panama for thirty years. However, if you are the adventuresome sort and want to visit and play in Panama’s interior here is a little information about tropical diseases in Panama.

Panama

Panama is the tropical country that connects North and South America. Fifty miles wide at its narrowest, Panama connects Atlantic to Pacific with the Panama Canal. Panama has tropical rain forest and it has central highlands where you can escape the heat. Panama has world class sport fishing as well as scuba diving and surfing that are hard to beat.

Panama’s indigenous areas offer great opportunities for cultural and eco tourism. Panama’s Pacific and Caribbean coasts have wonderful beaches and crystal clear waters for sailing.

Panama also has a few tropical diseases you should know about.

Tropical Diseases in Panama

If you are coming to Panama City to stay in air conditioned hotels and visit the casinos, restaurants, and take guided tour to see the Panama Canal don’t worry about tropical diseases.

If you are going for eco tourism in the interior, visiting the Smithsonian research institute at Barro Colorado, kayaking on the Chagras River, or eating “native” food on a trip to Kuna Yala read this and follow the links.

Yellow Fever

There has not been a case of yellow fever in Panama for thirty years. However, this dread tropical disease killed thousands during both the French attempt and the American building of the Panama Canal has been both in Costa Rica to the West and Colombia to the East. There have been a number of cases this year in Brazil.

As a preventative measure Panama has decided to require a yellow fever vaccination for those wishing to enter the country. This applies both to foreign travelers and local residents who travel and want to come home.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever is a potentially fatal disease is endemic in Panama.

According to the CDC Yellow Book, “Cases of dengue fever and DHF are confirmed every year in travelers returning to the United States after visits to tropical and subtropical areas. Studies of military and relief workers placed the estimated risk for travelers returning from dengue-endemic areas near one illness per thousand travelers. This estimate may overstate the danger for tourists who may have less contact with the vector when they stay only a few days in air-conditioned hotels with well-kept grounds, or when they participate in outdoor recreational activities where the vector mosquito may be absent (such as sunbathing or playing golf in the middle of the day).”

Rickettsia Ricketssii; Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Panama

Rickettsia Ricketssii like dengue is found normally in Panama and is a potentially fatal disease. According to information in the CDC Yellow Book and a recent article in La Prensa, Panama, “The disease is caused by a species of bacteria that is spread to humans by ticks. Initial signs and symptoms of the disease include sudden onset of fever, headache, and muscle pain, followed by the development of a rash. The disease can be difficult to diagnose in the early stages, and without prompt and appropriate treatment it can be fatal.”

Chagas’ Disease

Travelers to Panama are at risk of catching Chagas’ disease if they travel to and sleep in poor, rural areas or eat food in unsanitary conditions. A worry for Panama travelers who might catch Chagas’ disease is that initial symptoms are as mild as to be seen as a “flu.” Late symptoms can occur years and decades later and be fatal. Testing requires a blood test that is best done early.

Tropical Disease Summary for Travelers to Panama

For every one of these diseases insect repellant, mosquito netting, and watching what you eat are the best prevention. If you don’t leave air conditioning and downtown Panama City don’t worry.