In 1904, the Isthmus of Panama reported that tropical diseases such as malaria led to the death of an estimated 12,000 workers during the Panama Canal project.
Over 100 years later, the mosquito-transmitted malaria continues to impact the health of the Republic of Panama.
On May 9, 2025, Panama’s Ministry of Health (Minsa) reported that two deaths from malaria had been recorded in 2025. The victims were from Eastern Panama in February and from Veraguas in March.