Panama Sees Significant Drop in Dengue Cases and Deaths in 2025
Panama City, Panama – Panama experienced a ample decline in dengue fever cases and related deaths in 2025, according to recent data released by the Ministry of health (Minsa). The country recorded 16,262 cases of dengue in 2025, a significant decrease from the 32,361 cases reported in 2024. Deaths attributed to the disease also fell by 51.8%,from 54 in 2024 to 28 in 2025.
Minsa officials attribute this positive trend to increased community involvement in preventative measures and strengthened inter-institutional collaboration focused on eliminating mosquito breeding sites. “More than 90% of the control of the disease depends on the actions of the population,” stated Lizbeth Cerezo, a technician with the Minsa Epidemiology Department.
The reduced incidence of dengue also eased the burden on the Panamanian healthcare system,with hospitalizations decreasing by 39% – from 2,669 in 2024 to 1,617 in 2025.
Looking ahead to 2026,Minsa has launched a pilot program in the San Miguelito health region utilizing a WhatsApp-based virtual assistant. This innovative platform will allow citizens to quickly report potential breeding grounds and suspected cases, aiming to further modernize Panama’s public health response to dengue.