Tips on mosquito-borne diseases in Panama

Moving to a tropical climate is the dream of many would-be expats, but it’s wise to check up on your destination’s equally tropical diseases before you leave home.

Panama is a favourite for expats due to its hot climate, but its insect population is somewhat different from its equivalent in cooler climes. Jungles, swamps with mangrove forests and other such delights sound fascinating for expats arriving from northern European lands, but can be either deadly or distressing due to their insect population. For example, trekking along Panama’s remote, undeveloped northern coastline may sound like an experience but, given its nickname as the ‘Mosquito Coast, it may be one you don’t need to have.

It pays to remember the country lies in the heart of the equator’s tropics, making malaria one of its real risks in certain regions. Although the disease has almost been eradicated nowadays, it caused thousands of deaths amongst those constructing the Panama Canal over 150 years ago, and is still a risk in a few remote areas as well as in Panama City during the rains.

Worse still, the entire country is a risk area for another mozzie-borne disease, Chikungunya. An unpleasant infection characterised by severe joint pain, a high fever, rash, muscle pain and extreme fatigue, there’s no effective vaccine or antiviral treatment for this disease, but at least it’s not fatal if left untreated. The Zika virus is another matter and, although it’s far less of a risk than it was during the last outbreak in 2015 -16, it can cause neurological complications. Those affected rarely show symptoms apart from general malaise, but Zika can also cause a mild fever, headaches, vomiting and joint or muscle pains.

Dengue fever is another risk and is also a viral infection caused by a mosquito bite. Unlike most mosquito species, dengue fever carriers bite during the day, not just in the evening. They breed anywhere there’s standing water, including puddles, containers and water tanks, and a lack of sanitation and irregular collection of garbage increases their numbers. Again there’s no treatment, but dengue needs to be taken seriously as it can flare up into a hemorrhagic version which can be life-threatening. Shock, system failure and uncontrollable internal bleeding are seen in this last stage, by which time it’s usually too late for medical intervention.

The last mosquito-borne disease known to be endemic in Panama is yellow fever, which initially causes flu-type symptoms but 10 per cent of those infected go on to develop severe, often deadly complications. Panama’s Darien Gap region is the only place where yellow fever is still a risk to humans, as a recent concentrated eradication effort elsewhere was successful. .There is now a vaccination for this disease, with all visitors and expats urged to get the jab. Finally, the chance of contracting the above diseases is small, but protection against mosquitoes is essential for visitors and expats alike.