Panama

Have a safe trip with travel vaccines and advice from medical professionals.

Travel health and safety for Panama 🇵🇦

Discover Panama, a country known for its vibrant culture, warm hospitality, and a blend of old-world charm and contemporary allure. Your journey here is bound to be filled with unforgettable moments.

Panama boasts a rich history, with its Casco Viejo district being a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wander through cobbled streets and colonial architecture that tell stories of a bygone era. Witness the engineering marvel that connects two oceans and learn about the historical significance of the Panama Canal.

Nature enthusiasts can embark on a boat tour of the San Blas Islands, a paradise of white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, or hike the trails of Soberania National Park, where you’ll encounter diverse wildlife.

Enjoy your trip to Panama! Remember to immerse yourself in the local culture, savor the cuisine, and take in the breathtaking sights.

Travel Immunizations for Panama

What vaccines do I need for Panama? Get all the information and vaccinations you need to minimize travel health risks.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A virus can cause liver disease, and in rare cases, liver failure and death.

Can be spread by fecal-oral transmission, consuming contaminated food or water, or close, personal contact with an infected person.
Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and joint pain.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that targets the liver and may cause chronic infections.

Its primary mode of transmission is through direct blood-to-blood contact with an infected person. It can also be transmitted through unprotected sex or sharing needles.
Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting and joint pain.

Measles

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease. Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Spreads through respiratory droplets and direct contact with infected individuals.
Symptoms initially resemble a common cold, followed by a characteristic rash fever, cough, runny nose, small, white spots inside the mouth and throat red eyes, sleepiness, and irritability.

Typhoid

Typhoid is a bacterial infection typically transmitted through contaminated food and water.

Consider getting vaccinated against typhoid.
Symptoms of typhoid fever include a high fever, headache, weakness, fatigue, stomach pain, constipation or diarrhea, loss of appetite, and a rose-colored rash on the chest and abdomen.

Rabies

Rabies is a viral infection transmitted through animal bites.

Symptoms may initially include fever, headache, and discomfort at the bite site, progressing to more severe neurological symptoms. Rabies is fatal if it is not treated before symptoms develop.
Rabies treatment may be limited or may not be available, therefore you may need to return to Canada for treatment.

Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes in certain regions of Africa and South America.

Mild cases: Fever, headache, muscle and joint aches, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting
Some areas of the country do have yellow fever and the vaccine is recommended for travel to those areas.
Proof of vaccination is required if you are coming from or have transited through an airport of a country where yellow fever occurs.

We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the provided information, however, it is not feasible for us to update daily. Please book a virtual consultation with one of our Travel Medicine Professionals for current, personalized advice and answers to any questions you may have.

Health Canada strongly advises travelers ensure their routine vaccinations are up to date, including:

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Guards against the varicella-zoster virus, responsible for chickenpox.

Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP)

Protects against three different bacterial infections.

Flu (Influenza)

Vaccination against seasonal influenza strains is essential.

Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Provides immunity against all three diseases in one shot.

Polio

Essential for guarding against the poliovirus.

Shingles

Offers protection against a viral infection that causes painful rashes.

COVID-19

The ongoing pandemic necessitates adherence to vaccination guidelines and preventive measures.

Panama Concerns / Health Canada Recommendations

Traveler's Diarrhea

Most common illness for travelers, from consuming contaminated food & water

Affects up to 70% of travelers and risks minimized with good hygiene and safe food/drink choices (eg. avoid raw foods, ice in drinks).
Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever, bloating.

Malaria

Malaria is a serious and occasionally fatal disease that is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.

Symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, similar to the flu. Without treatment, malaria can cause severe illness and death.
Malaria can be treated with anti-malarial medications.
Use insect repellents containing DEET, wear long sleeves, long pants, and consider staying in accommodations with screens or bed nets.

Insect Bite Prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. Cover up and use insect repellents to protect against infection.

Dengue: Symptoms include high-grade fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, rash, and nausea/vomiting.

Chikungunya: Symptoms include joint pains, fever, rash, and headache.
Zika: Symptoms include rash, itch, mild fever, headache, red eyes, muscle, and joint pains.
- Typically spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, but also a very small risk of sexual transmission
- Pregnant women should consider postponing non-essential travel to countries with moderate risk and should postpone non-essential travel to high-risk countries
American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease): Symptoms include skin lesions and/or eye lid swelling. Fever, headache, enlarged lymph glands, muscle pain, fatigue, body aches, rash, loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting

Over the Counter Medications for Travel to Panama

Pain Relief

Medications such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil) can be helpful for managing headaches, muscle pain, or fever.

Anti-Diarrheal Medications

It’s advisable to carry over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications like loperamide (e.g., Imodium) to treat mild cases of traveler’s diarrhea. However, it’s important to stay hydrated and seek medical attention if diarrhea persists or worsens.

Antacids

Antacids like Tums or Pepto-Bismol can provide relief from indigestion or heartburn, which can sometimes occur when trying new foods or experiencing changes in diet during travel.

Allergy Medications

If you have known allergies, carrying antihistamines like cetirizine(e.g., Reactine) or diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl) can help manage allergic reactions to environmental allergens or insect bites.

Motion Sickness Medications

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider carrying medication like dimenhydrinate (e.g., Gravol) to alleviate symptoms during long journeys or when traveling by car, train, or boat.

Sun Protection

It is essential to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF, wear hats, sunglasses, and lightweight, breathable clothing.

Medical Services and Facilities in Panama

Good health care is available in private hospitals and clinics in Panama City. Quality of care varies greatly in public hospitals throughout the country, which are limited outside Panama City.
You may have to pay in advance, in cash, to obtain medical services.
Medical evacuation can be very expensive, and you may need it in case of serious illness or injury.
Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Consular Assistance in Panama

Embassy of Canada to Panama

Street Address: Torres de Las Americas, Tower A, 11th Floor, Punta Pacifica, Panama City, Panama

Telephone: (507) 294-2500

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.Canada.ca/Canada-And-Panama

Emergency Services

Emergency services exist but may be limited. In case of emergency, dial:

police: 104
medical assistance: 911
firefighters: 103

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