Honduras Health News

Health authorities declared a local epidemic in Olancho after more than 300 dengue cases accumulated there, with 45–50 new infections reported each week, and officials warned of circulation of serotype 3, a variant linked to more severe illness.

The Social Development Ministry and a nonprofit foundation signed an agreement to provide mobility devices, medical care, early diagnosis, and official registration to people with disabilities across more than 100 vulnerable communities, particularly in rural southern Honduras.

President Nasry Asfura signed an agreement with AMEX Healthcare, backed by Austrian concessional funds, to upgrade oncology and diagnostic imaging services at San Pedro Sula's Hospital Mario Catarino Rivas in 2026–2027, including a linear accelerator to expand cancer treatment access.

Honduras has confirmed 4,605 suspected dengue cases this year, including 76 severe cases and one death, as rainy season conditions accelerate transmission of the mosquito-borne virus, with health officials urging immediate medical attention for fever and other symptoms.

Alejandro Antonio Barahona, 65, died after being attacked by a bee swarm that fell from a public sign when strong winds knocked down its hive in La Lima, Cortés; he arrived at the hospital without vital signs.

Honduras's national poultry association confirmed sufficient chicken and egg production to meet demand after authorities detected avian influenza at a farm in Santa Bárbara, with the sector working with health officials to enforce biosecurity measures and prevent spread.

Starting June 25, Honduras will no longer require travelers departing the country to show proof of measles vaccination, though health officials continue to recommend the vaccine two weeks before travel given ongoing regional transmission.

Five months into President Asfura's administration, relations between the government and the Medical Association of Honduras have deteriorated over disputes about hospital care, medication theft accusations, and payment protests, with analysts warning of a deepening health-system crisis affecting patients.

Authorities reported a high biohazard risk at a warehouse accident in Honduras, with police, firefighters, and journalists working on the scene without protective masks despite a terrifying chemical odor.

Alejandro Antonio Barahona, 65, died after being attacked by a swarm of bees that fell from a billboard in La Lima, Cortés when strong winds dislodged the hive; he was pronounced dead at the hospital despite emergency care.

Honduras's mental-health system is collapsing, with the country's only acute psychiatric hospital receiving 15–20 patients daily and fewer than 70 psychiatrists nationwide, while stigma, lack of prevention, and insufficient public services leave most conditions untreated.

Health authorities confirmed a sixth measles case in Honduras in 2026—a 29-year-old Italian citizen who contracted the virus while traveling in Guatemala and later arrived on the island of Utila in the Bay Islands; officials are conducting epidemiological surveillance and urging vaccination.

Authorities in Santa Bárbara culled 32,000 birds at a farm in San Pedro Zacapa after confirming a case of H5 avian influenza, and have quarantined the facility; officials say the outbreak is under control and eggs and chicken remain safe for consumers.

Nurses, orderlies, and hospital staff shut down San Pedro Sula's Leonardo Martínez Hospital to demand 10–11 months of unpaid back wages owed under a court order for their reinstatement after winning a wrongful-dismissal case.

A CT scanner installed at Hospital San Felipe's oncology center has three competing explanations for its origin—a L31 million (about $1.24 million USD) purchase order, a claimed international donation, and a supposed debt—leaving its funding source unclear.

Honduras's Medical Association rejected claims by Vice President–designate María Antonieta Mejía linking doctors to corruption and medicine shortages in public hospitals, demanding she provide evidence within 72 hours or issue a public apology.

A high-tech linear accelerator donated to Hospital San Felipe and installed earlier this year remains inactive because the government has requested an additional L120 million (about $4.8 million) to make it operational, without clearly explaining why or how it relates to L100 million already spent on equipment.

Honduras has recorded 191 cases of human botfly infection in the first six months of 2026, with health authorities warning the pace may exceed last year's 300 total cases and noting three deaths already this year.

Honduras's health regulator lifted all restrictions on sales of Musflex (carisoprodol) muscle relaxants, allowing pharmacies to dispense the medication without a prescription and easing supply concerns.

Starting August 1, Honduras will shift vaccination records from paper to a digital national system, allowing health authorities to track immunizations in real time, identify people needing doses, and improve disease prevention planning.

Senasa director Rafael Rodríguez affirmed that Honduras remains disease-free in its pig herds, a status he said strengthens domestic pork production and ensures safe meat for consumers.

Jesús Alexis Maradiaga, a four-year-old from Santa Cruz de Yojoa who fell from a bus on May 21 and spent weeks in intensive care after two emergency surgeries, was discharged from IHSS on June 19; his grandfather's photo of prayer at the hospital's pediatric ICU had gone viral, drawing nationwide prayers for the child's recovery.

Honduras's Social Security Institute has begun a program to reduce its surgical waiting list, with 143 procedures already completed in San Pedro Sula, where more than 3,000 patients await surgery; the institute says it is cleaning up outdated records and contracting private medical firms to expand capacity.

Ex-Health Minister Carla Paredes joined residents of Santa Bárbara in demanding that construction of eight hospitals begun under former President Xiomara Castro continue, challenging authorities to investigate any claims of cost inflation and irregularities.

Dr. Pablo Cerritos, who treated chef Sandra Díaz before her death on June 10, denied performing cosmetic surgery and said he has cooperated fully with investigators and is awaiting autopsy results.

Honduras declared a health emergency in February 2026 and launched a special program to reduce surgical waiting lists, with Hospital San Felipe reporting over 1,800 major surgeries completed in eight weeks, though medical and legislative sectors seek more detailed data on spending and nationwide impact.

Senasa confirmed detection of avian influenza at a commercial poultry farm in San Pedro Zacapa, Santa Bárbara, triggering containment protocols to prevent spread.

A woman waiting at Honduras's Supreme Court of Justice had to wait nearly 30 minutes for a 911 ambulance after a medical emergency, exposing the court's lack of basic first-aid equipment for citizens conducting business there.

Honduras's Health Ministry completed a national workshop to roll out a digital vaccination-record system nationwide, moving toward a computerized immunization database.

Honduras's Defense Ministry and Human Rights Secretariat held a training session for military personnel on the legal rights and protections for people living with HIV, aiming to build a culture of respect and non-discrimination within the armed forces.