The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified Panama, among other countries, as being "at risk" of the spread of yellow fever.
Gladys Guerrero, head of the epidemiology department of the Ministerio de Salud (Minsa), said that additional surveillance measures are being taken after cases of the disease were reported in Brazil and Paraguay.
The eastern part of the country, including Darién, Kuna Yala and Bayano-Chepo, is considered to be the most vulnerable to the disease to appear because of its proximity to Colombia, where sporadic cases have been documented.
Panama has been free of yellow fever since the 1970s. The disease killed thousands of workers who were building the Panama Canal.
Guerrero explained that the sporadic presence of yellow fever in South America does not mean that the country has had to implement new health measures, but simply strengthen existing ones.
