Clinical Characteristics and National Economic Cost of the 2005 Dengue Epidemic in Panama

Blas Armien Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudio de la Salud, Panamá; Schneider Institutes for Health Policy, Heller School, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts; Ministerio de Salud de Panamá

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Jose A. Suaya Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudio de la Salud, Panamá; Schneider Institutes for Health Policy, Heller School, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts; Ministerio de Salud de Panamá

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Evelia Quiroz Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudio de la Salud, Panamá; Schneider Institutes for Health Policy, Heller School, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts; Ministerio de Salud de Panamá

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Binod K. Sah Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudio de la Salud, Panamá; Schneider Institutes for Health Policy, Heller School, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts; Ministerio de Salud de Panamá

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Vicente Bayard Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudio de la Salud, Panamá; Schneider Institutes for Health Policy, Heller School, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts; Ministerio de Salud de Panamá

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Loyd Marchena Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudio de la Salud, Panamá; Schneider Institutes for Health Policy, Heller School, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts; Ministerio de Salud de Panamá

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Cornelio Campos Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudio de la Salud, Panamá; Schneider Institutes for Health Policy, Heller School, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts; Ministerio de Salud de Panamá

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Donald S. Shepard Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudio de la Salud, Panamá; Schneider Institutes for Health Policy, Heller School, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts; Ministerio de Salud de Panamá

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In 2005, Panama experienced the largest dengue epidemic since 1993. We conducted both a prospective clinical and a national economic study. The full cost analysis measured costs of dengue cases and of dengue control efforts in the entire country. Costs are in 2005 US$. Ambulatory patients were 130 of the 136 participants, with 82% adults (18+) and 62% women. Duration of fever and illness averaged 6.1 (standard deviation [SD], 5.3) and 21.2 (SD 13.5) days, respectively. Loss in quality of life averaged 67% (SD 21) during the worst days of illness. An average ambulatory and hospitalized case cost $332 and $1,065, respectively. Although 5,489 cases were officially reported, the Ministry of Health (MOH) estimated 32,900 actual cases, implying a total cost of $11.8 million. Additionally, estimated government spending on dengue control efforts was $5 million. This dengue epidemic had a major disease impact and an economic cost of $16.9 million ($5.22 per capita).

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