Oropouche Virus Remains Risky in Panama

During the summer of 2024, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued several epidemiological alerts about Oropouche cases, including deaths, in the Region of the Americas. This unfortunate trend has continued into 2025.

The U.S. Embassy in Panama recently published a Health Alert for U.S. Citizens living in or visiting the Republic of Panama.

As of February 7, 2025, the U.S. CDC has issued two Travel Health Notices (THN) regarding outbreaks of the Oropouche virus in Panama. Additionally, the CDC has raised the THN level for Panama's Darien province to Level 2.

Previous research estimates that up to 5 million people in the Americas are at risk of exposure to the virus.

Oropouche is a disease caused by the Oropouche virus, which is spread primarily through the bites of infected midges and mosquitoes. While the virus has been found in semen, it is unconfirmed whether It can be spread through sex.

Symptoms of Oropouche include headache, fever, muscle aches, stiff joints, nausea, vomiting, chills, or sensitivity to light. Severe cases may result in neuroinvasive diseases such as meningitis.

From a prevention perspective, the CDC says travelers to Panama should take steps to prevent bug bites. They should also prevent bug bites for three weeks after travel to avoid possibly spreading the virus to others if they are in areas where mosquitoes and biting midges are active.

Currently, there are no U.S. FDA-approved vaccines for Oropouche disease.

However, this area of Central America has been reporting chikungunya cases, and there is an approved vaccine commercially offered at travel clinics and pharmacies in 2025.