science, health & technology

Yellow Fever and Malaria risks and rules in Panama
by the World Health Organization

Yellow fever *

Country requirement

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers coming from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission

Recommendation

Yellow fever vaccination recommendation: recommended for all travelers who are going to the Province of Darien, the region Kuna Yala (old San Blas), East Panama including the districts of Chepo, Chiman and Balboa. This does not include the City of Panama and the Panama Canal area (old Canal Zone).

Malaria

Risk

Malaria risk --- predominantly due to P. vivax (83%); P. falciparum (17%) --- exists throughout the year in provinces along the Atlantic coast and the border with Colombia: Bocas del Toro, Colon, Darien, Embera, Kuna Yala, Ngobe Bugle, Panama and Veraguas. In Panama City, the Canal zone, and in the other provinces there is no or negligible risk of transmission. Chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum has been reported in Darien and San Blas provinces.

* The risk of yellow fever transmission depends on the presence of the virus in the country either in humans, in mosquitoes or in animals. Under the terms of the revised International Health Regulations (2005) which enter into force in June 2007, the term "infected areas" will no longer apply with respect to yellow fever. WHO will determine those areas where "a risk of yellow fever transmission is present" based on the following criteria: yellow fever has been reported currently or in the past plus the presence of vectors and animal reservoirs.