Panama
#10,773
Although Zika was first reported in the Americas by Chile in 2014 (Easter Island), it wasn’t until last May that Brazil reported their first autochthonous cases of the virus, which is now rampant across much of the Northeastern states. In October, Columbia reported the virus, and in the past few weeks we’ve seen Venezuela, Suriname, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Paraguay join the list.
Given its proximity to Columbia, it is of little surprise that numerous local media sources today are reporting we can now include Panama.
If confirmed by PAHO, this would make the 8th new country to report Zika in the Americas since October of this year, an recent reports out of Brazil linking infection to serious birth defects (see MOH: Microcephaly Epidemic Is Brazil’s `Greatest Calamity’), understandably have the whole region on alert.
Two reports:
(translation)
The Zika virus arrives in Panama, three indigenous cases detected
03/12/15 - 11:15 AM
Dr. Fly Itza Barahona, National Director of Health, said people were reported infected in Ustupu Island, in the region Guna Yala.
Erika Edith Quiñones/@ErikaZayuky
The first three cases of infection any by Zika virus was recorded in Panama, the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Itza fly Barahona, National Director of Health, he said the infected people were reported on the island of Ustupu, in the region Guna Yala, although the population is investigated in the community of Mulatupu to check for presence of the virus.
It is indigenous cases, those who managed detected through tests to people who expressed fevers.
In total 68 tests were applied as part of health surveillance that kept the ministry, resulting yesterday with confirmation of these cases.
First confirmed three cases of Zika virus in indigenous region of Panama
Published December 03, 2015
Health authorities today confirmed the existence of the first three cases of zika in Panama, a virus transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegypti and whose symptoms are similar to those of dengue.
The three infected Ustupu reside on the island, in the indigenous region of Kuna Yala, located in the Panamanian Caribbean, he said at a press conference the director of Health, Itza Barahona de Mosca.
Other 65 people are under surveillance because "symptoms" according to the health director.
Ustupu island is located roughly 600 meters off the northeastern coast of Panama (Caribbean side).
