According to the latest report of the Department of Epidemiology, the disease remains among the events under permanent epidemiological surveillance, due to the risk it represents for public health and the persistence of cases in regions with agricultural activity.

Shingles is an infestation caused by the larvae of the fly Cochliomyia hominivorax, which invade living tissues through exposed wounds or lesions.

Health authorities warn that the risk increases when there are deficiencies in hygiene or late care of injuries, especially in tropical and rural areas, the institution said.

The official report notes that, during epidemiological week 24, this was one of the few zoonoses that showed an increase in cases, while other diseases of animal or environmental origin remained stable or without new reports.

El Minsa stated that, in addition to surveillance of the worm, it maintains active control programs against dengue fever, which has accumulated more than 3,300 cases this year, and malaria, with more than 4,400 notifications in the same period.

Panama has strengthened surveillance of the shearing worm since 2023 after the reappearance of the pest in animals, a phenomenon that motivated joint actions between public health and agricultural authorities to limit its spread and reduce the risk of transmission to humans.

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