Three days before the carnival festivities, the Ministry of Health (Minsa) reported 10 new cases affected of monkeypox bringing the accumulated total to 139.

Minsa reported that so far, the confirmed cases remain in the provinces of Los Santos, Veraguas, Chiriquí, and Panama Oeste; and in the Health regions: Metropolitan, San Miguelito, and Panamá Norte.

Of the 139 cases, 137 men and 2 women have tested positive.

The Expanded Immunization Program (PAI) detailed that until February 13, 173 doses of the monkeypox vaccine have been applied, with 150 first doses and 23 second doses.

Since May 24, Panama has maintained a health alert throughout the country.

The first case of monkeypox was confirmed on July 5, 2022.