Panama: Over 40 schools suspend classes in Chiriquí due to vomiting and diarrhea outbreak

More than 40 schools in Panama's Chiriquí province have temporarily halted in-person classes as a preventative measure against a widespread outbreak of vomiting and diarrhea affecting students and teachers. The Ministry of Education (Meduca) confirmed the suspensions, primarily in the David district, stating the pause will allow for thorough cleaning, disinfection, and sanitization of school facilities.

Authorities anticipate resuming in-person classes on Monday, following the completion of these sanitation efforts. Regional Meduca director Maritza González cited a decree allowing school directors to suspend classes when a threat to the educational community arises. Some schools are continuing instruction virtually to minimize disruption to the academic calendar. Parents are urged to keep symptomatic students home and reinforce hygiene practices like frequent handwashing and mask-wearing.

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The decision is based on Executive Decree No. 49 of 2025, which regulates the school calendar and whose article 9 empowers school principals to temporarily suspend classes when there is a threat to the educational community.

Additional measures may be implemented upon return, such as holding recesses within classrooms to reduce student contact. The suspensions extend beyond David to other districts as teachers living in David but working elsewhere also reported symptoms. While Meduca confirmed over 40 schools suspended activities, an official count of those affected by the outbreak is still pending. Many parents, independently of the school decisions, chose not to send their children to class as a precautionary step.

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Do not send students who present with vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or other symptoms.