Friday, December 26, 2025.
Season´s Greetings
As the year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to extend my warmest season’s greetings to our readers, colleagues, partners, and friends. This time of year is meaningful in many different ways across cultures, faiths, and traditions. Whether it is a moment for celebration, reflection, gratitude, renewal, or quiet time with family, it offers us all an opportunity to pause, look back on the year behind us, and look forward with hope to the year ahead.
Regardless of how or what you celebrate, I sincerely wish that this season brings you peace, good health, and meaningful moments with those closest to you. May it also offer time to rest, reconnect, and refocus on what truly matters—both personally and professionally.
I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Panama and its people for the constant hospitality, warmth, and openness shown to me and my family. From day-to-day kindnesses to a deep sense of community, Panama has welcomed us in ways that go far beyond geography. It is a privilege to live, work, and raise a family in a country that consistently demonstrates generosity of spirit and respect for others.
As we move into a new year, I am thankful for the trust, collaboration, and relationships built along the way. Wishing everyone a safe, peaceful, and meaningful holiday season, and a year ahead filled with health, opportunity, and purpose.
Brett Mikkelson
Director, B.M. Investigations, Inc. – Private Investigations in Panama
TOP NEWS and TIDBITS:
Immigration Registers High Demand Due to Change of Residency Moratorium
The National Immigration Service reported that the high volume of visitors registered at its main office, located on Ricardo J. Alfaro Avenue, is due to the current moratorium period for the change of residency process, which remains in effect until December 31, 2025.
This measure has resulted in an increased influx of users seeking to complete their immigration procedures within the established timeframe.
“We are working continuously with the objective of providing efficient, orderly, and timely service,” the agency stated.
National Police Seize More Than 44,000 Drug Packages During 2025
The National Police reported that, so far in 2025, a total of 44,795 packages of illicit substances have been seized as a result of 19,324 search and seizure operations carried out in different parts of the country, in coordination with the Public Ministry.
According to the official report, part of these seizures took place in vehicles modified with hidden compartments, as well as in containers located at ports on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, allegedly used for drug trafficking.
Regarding operational actions, authorities detailed that during the current year, 62,038 individuals have been apprehended for various offenses. Of this total, 381 correspond to homicide cases, while 14,512 people were detained for administrative violations.
Within the framework of the “Safe Year-End 2025” operations, police officers remain deployed across different sectors of the country with the objective of strengthening public security and bringing individuals linked to crimes against collective security, among other offenses, before the competent authorities.
Ministry of Health Issues Alert Over Increase in Respiratory Viruses and Calls for Vaccination Reinforcement
The Ministry of Health (MINSA) reiterated to the public the importance of reinforcing biosecurity measures in light of the increase in respiratory viruses circulating in the country in recent weeks.
According to the latest epidemiological report, Panama has recorded more than 51,000 cases of influenza-like respiratory syndrome so far this year, with active surveillance ongoing for viruses such as Influenza A (H1N1), Influenza A (H3N2) — including its K subclade — parainfluenza, SARS-CoV-2, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), the latter having a greater impact on the pediatric population.
Influenza: More Than 7,000 Cases and 99 Deaths, According to MINSA
Regarding influenza, MINSA reported more than 7,000 cumulative cases and 99 deaths nationwide. Of the total fatalities, 86.9% involved unvaccinated individuals, while 91% had underlying risk factors, highlighting the increased risk of severe complications among those without immunization.
Health authorities also confirmed that, to date, three cases of Influenza A (H3N2), K subclade, remain confirmed in the country.
Call for Early Detection and Timely Care
The Director General of Public Health, Dr. Yelkys Gill, emphasized that continuous epidemiological surveillance enables early detection of circulating viruses and the timely adoption of measures to protect the population.
“Permanent surveillance allows us to identify early the respiratory viruses that are circulating and to adopt the necessary measures to protect the population, especially high-risk groups,” the official stated.
Dr. Gill urged the public to seek immediate medical attention at health centers if symptoms such as fever, cough, nasal congestion, or breathing difficulties appear, noting that early detection reduces the risk of complications.
Recommended Preventive Measures
MINSA reiterated the importance of maintaining the following preventive measures:
- Frequent handwashing
- Use of face masks in the presence of respiratory symptoms
- Avoiding crowded places
Completing vaccination schedules is especially recommended for:
- Children
- Older adults
- Individuals with chronic illnesses
Authorities stressed that vaccination remains the primary tool for protection, particularly against severe cases associated with influenza and other respiratory viruses.
Food Poisoning: It’s Best to Trust Your Senses
Jorge Jesús Rodríguez, a physician with the Ministry of Health (MINSA), stated that in order to avoid food poisoning during traditional year-end meals, it is important to take certain precautions, noting that the first line of safety is oneself.
“The first line of safety, whether eating at home or outside the home, is oneself. In that sense, we must trust our senses. The first is sight—if we see something unusual in the food, it is better not to consume it. The next would be smell,” he emphasized in an interview with Nex Noticias.
Rodríguez recalled that there is a certain level of risk when food is left exposed for more than two hours after being prepared and served. He therefore recommended keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold.
The physician identified nausea as the first symptom that something is wrong, followed by vomiting, abdominal pain, increasing diarrhea, fever, and loss of appetite.
“These are the signs and symptoms, whether of a viral, bacterial, or even parasitic condition, which are the most common when consuming contaminated food,” he explained.
He also noted that one of the common sources of food poisoning is potato salad, mainly due to its dressings. For this reason, such foods should be kept as refrigerated as possible and served only at the time they are going to be eaten.
Dr. Rodríguez reiterated that once food preparation is completed, it should be consumed within a two-hour window.
He further recommended moderating alcohol consumption and exercising extreme caution with fireworks, including ground fireworks such as fountains, as these can cause eye burns, while small firecrackers may cause respiratory burns due to their chemical components.
Finally, he advised taking precautions in the kitchen with the utensils used and ensuring that children do not enter the kitchen area.
Candles, Electrical Failures, and Christmas Lights Among the Main Causes of Fires in 2025
Authorities emphasized the importance of prevention, reminding the public that small oversights can trigger large-scale fires.
The Panama Fire Department reported that this year the province of Veraguas has recorded more than 20 structural fires in commercial establishments and residential properties.
Colonel Eduardo Chen, of the Fire Department, stated that during a recent fire incident they were able to extinguish a blaze at a bazaar located in Veraguas, which had an altar with candles that had begun to consume the premises.
Additionally, Chen highlighted on Telemetro Reporta that the main recommendation is not to use candles without supervision and to check the electrical connections of household appliances.
He also stressed that during the Christmas season it is important to keep Christmas lights and materials used in nativity scenes in good condition, as these factors have been responsible for the more than 20 fires recorded in 2025 in the province of Veraguas.
Authorities once again underscored the importance of prevention, noting that minor negligence can lead to large fires, with serious consequences for both families and the environment in Veraguas.
Health Authorities Warn: There Is No Safe Fireworks for Children
During the year-end holiday season, there is an increase in the number of children treated in the burn unit at the Children’s Hospital, mainly due to the use of fireworks and household accidents, particularly in the kitchen.
Dr. Marvis Corro, a specialist at the burn unit of the Children’s Hospital, reported that so far in 2025, 10 minors have been treated for fireworks-related injuries. Of these cases, five occurred in January, one in May, one in November, and three in December, a month in which celebrations significantly increase risks.
“Burns are a completely preventable condition, and the most preventable cause of all is fireworks,” Dr. Corro stated, emphasizing that there is no harmless pyrotechnic device. Even fireworks considered small or “safe” can cause serious and permanent injuries.
The specialist recounted a recent case involving a young girl who, although she was only observing fireworks with her family, was seriously injured when other children placed a device inside a PVC pipe. The object exploded and struck her directly in the eye, putting her vision at lifelong risk.
In addition to fireworks, the doctor warned that the leading cause of burns in children throughout the year is exposure to hot liquids such as water, oil, or food—commonly known as scald burns. These incidents often occur when children enter the kitchen while meals are being prepared.
“Many times, parents cook while holding their children or allow them to play in the kitchen, and that is not a safe place for them,” Corro explained. She recommended installing safety barriers, preventing children from being near stoves and ovens, and seeking safer alternatives, especially in homes with limited space.
Overall, the burn service at the Children’s Hospital treats between 450 and 600 patients per year for moderate and severe burns. When including mild cases treated at the Wound Clinic, the number can reach nearly 1,000 patients annually, highlighting the magnitude of the problem.
Among the key recommendations to prevent these accidents, the specialist emphasized:
- Do not allow children to handle or even observe the use of fireworks.
- Check electrical extension cords and decorative lights to prevent electrical burns.
- Keep matches, lighters, detergents, and chemicals out of children’s reach.
- Prevent children from entering the kitchen or coming into contact with hot surfaces such as ovens.
“It is better to enjoy the holidays in harmony with family than to face an injury that leaves lifelong consequences,” Dr. Corro concluded.
Health authorities reiterated their call to parents and caregivers to strengthen safety measures at home, reminding them that most of these injuries can be prevented with proper supervision and preventive actions.
