Panama investigates virus linked to six deaths in Ngäbe Buglé region

Panama's Ministry of Health is investigating six recent deaths in the Ngäbe Buglé region, seeking to confirm if a respiratory virus, such as RSV or influenza, is responsible. While awaiting laboratory results, health authorities have dispatched multidisciplinary teams to the affected communities. They have also bolstered the response capacity at the Hospital del Niño due to a rise in respiratory illness cases.

Yelkis Gill, the national head of Service Provision for the Ministry of Health, stated that samples from patients have been sent for diagnostic testing to identify the causative agent. "It could be respiratory syncytial virus, it could be influenza. The important thing is that the team has already entered the area, is conducting an epidemiological sweep, vaccinating, and providing treatment," she said. Of the six deceased individuals, two were under two years old, and the other four were adults between 60 and 73 years old. Investigations are also focused on establishing epidemiological links between the cases and determining if there was any family connection or close contact among those affected.

Interventions are concentrated in the communities of Valle Bonito, Guayacán, and Palmira within the Ngäbe Buglé region. Health personnel are conducting house-to-house visits, administering vaccines, tracking contacts, and providing medical attention. One of the first patients identified during the intervention was a 10-month-old infant with respiratory complications, who was transferred to the Hospital Regional Dr. Luis "Chicho" Fábrega for specialized care.

In response to the increase in respiratory illnesses, the Hospital del Niño has also strengthened its capabilities. The hospital currently has 44 patients admitted, with 20 experiencing respiratory conditions. The Ministry of Health has expanded treatment areas and is expediting the acquisition of ventilators to prepare for a potential surge in patients requiring intensive care.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Health, in coordination with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), is arranging the purchase of 13,000 to 14,000 doses of monoclonal antibodies. This treatment is intended for children at high risk of developing complications from RSV, aiming to prevent severe illness that might necessitate mechanical ventilation or intensive care. The ministry reiterated its call for pregnant women to get vaccinated.

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It could be respiratory syncytial virus, it could be influenza. The important thing is that the team has already entered the area, is conducting an epidemiological sweep, vaccinating, and providing treatment.