2000 - Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome in Panama

The hantavirus pulmonary syndrome outbreak was first reported on 7 June 2021, from Las Tablas and Guarare districts in Los Santos Province, Panama. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the current status of the outbreak is ongoing.

As of the latest report, there are a total of 15 cases, including 3 confirmed and 12 probable or suspected cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States confirmed the diagnosis through serological tests on samples from three surviving patients. Unfortunately, there have been 3 reported deaths, resulting in a case fatality ratio of 100%.

The outbreak is currently limited to Panama, with no reported cases in other countries. There is no information available on the geographic spread of the outbreak or any vessel/aircraft transmission context.

The public health response to the outbreak is being led by the Panamanian authorities, with support from international partners. For the latest updates on the outbreak, please refer to the World Health Organization's Disease Outbreak News bulletin at https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2000_03_02a-en.