Costa Rica Disease Outbreaks Slow Ahead of Winter Vacations

As the winter vacation season nears, the Republic of Costa Rica's mosquito disease outbreaks appear to be showing signs of slowing down.

This is good news for international visitors. Costa Rica's Juan Santamaría International Airport has welcomed over 2.8 million air passengers during the first half of 2023. 

According to the Costa Rica Ministry of Health's Epidemicologal Report N°43, the health risk of becoming infected with chikunguna, dengue, Malaria, or Zika varies by location as of November 10, 2023.

These arboviral disease outbreaks occur more frequently in the summer and autumn seasons.

Costa Rica is battling an outbreak of dengue fever, both classic and hemorrhagic.

In 2023, there have been 19,844 reported dengue cases, about 20% higher than in 2022.

The Ministry of Health reported that the Huetar Caribe region, Central North, and the Central Pacific confirmed the most dengue cases.

Additionally, there have been 66 chikungunya cases, 677 cases of leprosy, and 515 malaria cases this year.

And there have been 27 confirmed cases of Zika virus in Costa Rica this year.

Furthermore, Costa Rica is not alone in reporting disease outbreaks in 2023.

During the first months of 2023, the Pan American Health Organization reported chikungunya and dengue fever outbreaks of high magnitude were recorded throughout the Caribbean and Central and South America.

Before the start of the high season, the PAHO recommends that Member States review and adjust their preparedness and response plans to face possible arboviral disease outbreaks to avoid severe complications from these diseases.

From a disease prevention perspective, travel vaccines such as the QDENGA®, chikungunya, or Zika vaccines are not offered in Costa Rica as of November 12, 2023.