Panama
This page contains the main health risks for travellers and general recommendations. Travel conditions are different for everyone and each patient's health condition varies. Discuss your trip during a travel consultation with your doctor or in a travel clinic, preferably six to eight weeks before departure.
Register your trip and read the information about security, healthcare and other practical aspects on the FPS Foreign Affairs website.
Important health risks
Malaria risk areas
- Moderate in Provinces east of the canal, including islands San Blas, some areas of the Ngöbe-Buglé region in the west of the country.
- Prevention: mosquito-repellent measures. Sometimes in combination wih preventive malaria tablets for people with an increased risk.
- Prevention: mosquito-repellent measures. Sometimes in combination wih preventive malaria tablets for people with an increased risk.
- Low in the rest of the country, including islands.
- Prevention: mosquito-repellent measures.
- Prevention: mosquito-repellent measures.
- None in Panama City.
- Species: P. vivax > 99%.
In case of fever during or after your journey, get tested for malaria as soon as possible.
Yellow fever
There is a risk of yellow fever going east of the canal zone: the whole territory of Embera and Kuna Yala, the province of Darién and areas of the provinces of Colon and Panama east of the canal zone.
There is no risk west of the Canal Zone, the city of Panama, the Canal Zone itself and the islands of Balboa (Pearl Islands) and San Blas.
Other insect-borne diseases
Insects can transmit diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, zika, leishmaniasis and Chagas disease.
Protect yourself against insects.
Ticks
Ticks can transmit diseases.
Altitude sickness
You may experience altitude sickness in areas above 2500 metres.
COVID-19
Take a look at the general preventive measures related to COVID-19.
- Carefully read the entry conditions and local measures of this country.
Other frequent health risks while travelling
Read these tips before you leave.
Vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all travellers from the age of one year. In addition, vaccination is compulsory if you have been in certains countries where yellow fever may be present during the last six days. This is not necessary when transiting through an airport.
This vaccination must be administered at least ten days prior to arrival by an official yellow fever vaccination centre and must be registered in an International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all travellers.
Update of basic vaccinations
Other vaccinations
Discuss with your doctor whether one of the following vaccinations is recommended for you: