Health
| | Special Precautions | Certificate Required | | Yellow Fever | 1 | No | | Cholera | 2 | No | | Typhoid and Polio | 3 | - | | Malaria | 4 | - | | Food and Drink | 5 | - |
Note: Regulations and requirements may be subject to change at short notice, and you are advised to contact your doctor well in advance of your intended date of departure. Any numbers in the chart refer to the footnotes below.
1: Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for those travelling to Chepo, San Blas and Darién. Travellers arriving from non-endemic zones should note that vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside the urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported and they would normally not require a vaccination certificate to enter the country.
2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to Panama. However, cholera may be a slight risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination, as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. See the Health appendix.
3: Typhoid fevers are common, but polio is not present.
4: There is a low malaria risk, predominantly of the P Vivax form in three provinces throughout the year: Bocas de Toro, Darién and San Blas. The risk of transmission in the remaining six provinces is negligible.
5: Mains water is normally chlorinated and safe. Bottled water is available. Drinking water outside main cities and towns may be contaminated and sterilisation is advised. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.
Other risks: Hepatitis A and E occur. Dengue fever may occur.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, see the Health appendix.
Health care: Modern and reliable private medical services are available. According to current legislation covering sanitary matters, Panama offers healthcare facilities to all nationals and foreign travellers who may require them, independent of any reciprocal agreement with a particular country. International travellers are, however, advised to take out medical insurance.
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