Health risks

Panama has a developing economy. The capital is Panama City. Outside the Panama City area, which has many first-class hotels and restaurants, tourist facilities vary in quality.

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CRIME: There is a moderate but growing level of crime in Panama City. The level of crime in the city of Colon is high. Police checkpoints have become commonplace on weekends in both cities. Based upon reported incidents, the high-crime areas around Panama City are Chorillo, Ancon, Curundu, Vera Cruz Beach, Panama Viejo, Parque Soberania, and the Madden Dam overlook.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Although Panama City has some very good hospitals and clinics, medical facilities outside of the capital are limited.

Arthropodborne diseases:

Malaria
Chagas disease
Dengue fever
Leishmaniasis
Filariasis
Yellow fever in Chepo, Darién and San Bla

We recommend to prevent Arthropodborne diseases:

Usage of long-sleeved shirt and long pants to wear whenever possible while outside, to prevent illnesses carried by insects
Usage og insect repellent containing DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide), in 30%–35% strength for adults and 6%–10% for children. Unless you are staying in air-conditioned or well-screened housing
Usage of a bed net impregnated with the insecticide permethrin.
Staying and sleeping in air-conditioned houses

Water- and foodborne diseases:

Amoebiasis
Brucellosis
Cholera
Hepatitis A
Typhoid fever

Other diseases:

Hepatitis B
Rabies

Vaccinations recommended:

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG)
Hepatitis B or Immune Globulin
Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.
Typhoid vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region.
A booster for tetanus/diphtheria - if not covered which indicates not vaccinated within th last 10 years.
Yellow fever if visiting Chepo, Darién and San Bla is planned

Stay healthy:

Wash hands often with soap and water.
Drink only boiled water, or water and carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans
Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes.
Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it
Protect yourself from insects by remaining in well-screened areas, using repellents (applied sparingly at 4-hour intervals) and permethrin-impregnated mosquito nets, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants from dusk through dawn.
Prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot
Do not travel at night
Trafic accidents are frequent, be careful
Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.
Use chloroquine as malaria prophylaxis in Bocas de Toro and mefloquine in Darién and San Blas (chloroquine resistance)

Compulsory vaccinations: none.

Recommended immunisations: *diphtheria, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, malaria, polio, *TB, tetanus, typhoid, *yellow fever for all travellers going to Chepo, Darien & San Blas
* recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month.

Risks: malaria risk is low all year in the provinces of Bocas de Toro in the west and Darien and San Blas in the east. There is little or no risk in other areas. Rabies.

Blood transfusion & tissue transplantation risk according to UK BTS:

Malaria: Yes, All year in whole country
Maliaria Risk Category: A
Trypanasoma Cruzi Risk: Yes
Sub Saharan Africa: No
West Nile Virus Risk: No
Chikungunya Virus Risk: No

Yellow fever vaccination requirements and recommendations and malaria situation in Panama
Food and Water Safety
HIV Risk
Check travelers health risks by CDC before, after and while traveling to Panama and prevention before arrival at Panama.

Travel data, health safety, warnings and recommendations for Canadian who willing to visit Panama.