Chikungunya

[CHRIS K.]

Hi has anyone expierence with catching the Chikungunya diease in Panama? How widespread is it and where is it most prevalent? We are palnning on staying in Panama City this coming trip, does anyone know if it is a issue in the city?

Thanks for any advice
Chris

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hello Chris,

Chikungunya is a disease that, as far as we know, has come to the Americas, in its present form, from Africa. The word comes from the Makonde language of Tanzania. The first regional case was reported in Florida (since then there have been about 11 cases transmitted there). Over 4,000 cases were reported from U.S. territories in 2014, mostly transmitted via Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

As of January 9, 2015, there are 42 countries/territories in the Caribbean/Americas region with reported cases of transmission. Hard-hit countries include Venezuela, Colombia, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic, with anywhere from 5,000 to 30,000 reported cases per country by September of 2014 and exponentially more suspected cases by now.

Toward the end of last year, zones near Panama’s capital city were fumigated after three cases were detected. By the end of the year we had 20 to 25 reported cases.

Panama is home to the renowned Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute as well as its own Gorgas Institute. These organizations are leaders in studying the disease and mosquitoes that spread it, the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, or tiger mosquito, which originated in Asia but are found in Canada and the U.S. all the way down to South America.

Panamanian health authorities first detected the tiger mosquito here in 2002 and kept tabs on its spread. This comprehensive data—uncommon in many tropical nations—along with years of mosquito surveys by Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, has been very helpful. Last May, a genetically modified mosquito that promotes sterility was released in a Panama City suburb by Panama’s Gorgas Institute. The modified mosquitoes are expected to greatly reduce problem mosquito populations (we don’t yet know the time frame).

Regardless, experts expect Chikungunya to continue spreading all over the Americas/Caribbean region (we don’t yet know the time frame).

Regarding diseases and travel:

As we say on your Panama Insider website, many expats travel to Panama without getting any specific vaccinations, as the city (and other developed areas of the country) have a history of being classified as low-risk for tropical ailments like malaria (Panama hasn’t had a yellow fever case since the 1970s).

Health authorities typically recommend prevention (protecting yourself from mosquito bites, particularly around sunrise and sunset) as there are no vaccines for chikungunya or dengue.

Mosquitoes that spread disease are found in many parts of the world, and at different times of year, so make it a habit to do what you can to prevent bites year-round.

Always make your own informed decision about travel and vaccines/any other medical considerations after reading the latest vaccinations and health advisories from trusted health industry sources.

You can check websites that offer recommendations specific to the different areas of Panama, including the World Health Organization (website: http://www.who.int), the CDC (U.S. Center for Disease Control, website: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/) or the Canadian Foreign Affairs Office (website: http://www.voyage.gc.ca.)

And remember, if you do plan to look into any vaccinations or pre-trip treatment courses, it’s best you see your health care provider at least four to six weeks before you travel.

[CHRIS K.]

Thanks Jessica
I had pretty much all that information from my research, I was hoping to get some local on site reports as to the problem with mosquitos in the city area and any experiences with the disease. Hopefully the readers can provide some insight.
Thanks again
Chris K

[CHRIS K.]

Hi again
We just returned from Panama City,we stayed in Casco Viejo and explored most of the city on foot, metro, and taxi. We also visited Coronado. We only saw one mosquito (in our shower) it had bitten someone but neither of us experienced any problems. There were quite a few city workers cleaning and spraying daily on our walks.
Chris

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hi Chris,

Good of you to share with us. Yes, I rarely–if ever–get bitten here in the city as it’s quite developed (construction tends to lower mosquito populations…less standing water, etc) and the municipalities do tend to spray to keep things under control.

Thanks!

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