Dengue

As per guidance from the USA CDC, Dengue poses a risk from Mexico to South America, and Costa Rica is no exception. Fortunately, the robust health system in Costa Rica effectively manages the disease year after year, causing minimal impact on both locals and travelers. While tropical diseases can be serious issues in many countries, Costa Rica has successfully controlled them, with occasional peaks in specific rural areas.

Although the likelihood of a traveler contracting Dengue is rare, it remains a possibility, particularly when visiting lowland or flooded regions. Despite the allure of observing stunning wildlife in these areas, it's essential to consider and adhere to CDC recommendations:

Use Insect Repellent

Use EPA-registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone.

How to Apply Insect Repellent:

• Always follow the product label instructions.
• Reapply as directed.
• If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first, and insect repellent second.
• Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.

Application Instructions for Children

• Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs.
• Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting.
• When using insect repellent on your child:
• Always follow label instructions.
• Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) on children under 3 years old.
• Do not apply insect repellent to a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, cuts, or irritated skin.
• Adults: spray insect repellent onto your hands and then apply to a child's face.

Permethrin:

Treat clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents) with 0.5% permethrin (an insecticide). You can buy pre-treated clothes or treat your own clothes. If treating items yourself, follow instructions carefully. Do NOT use permethrin directly on skin.

Cover Exposed Skin:

Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Some bugs, such as tsetse flies, can bite through thin fabric.

Avoid Bugs Where You Are Staying:

Choose hotel rooms or other accommodations that are air-conditioned or have window and door screens with no holes, so bugs can’t get inside.

Costa Rica offers one of the highest health systems. Statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) frequently place Costa Rica in the top country rankings in the world for long life expectancy. WHO's 2000 survey ranked Costa Rica as having the 36th best health care system, placing it one spot above the United States at the time.

The public and private facilities and services are always being upgraded, for example the country has three JCI certified medical centers in the nation’s capital, San José. This is the highest global designation awarded in the healthcare industry.

If you have more concerns about Dengue, please don’t hesitate to let us know.