Malaria in Costa Rica: Province of Limon

13 Apr 2023

Media in Costa Rica have reported an outbreak of malaria in the province of Limon. According to public health authorities there have been 62 cases in the 2 weeks leading up to 7 April 2023 in the cantons of Limon and Pococo. These areas usually have a lower risk of malaria.

Advice for Travellers

Malaria is a potentially serious infection that is transmitted to humans by mosquito bites.

If you are travelling to this area you should:

• understand your risk of malaria, given the current increase in cases
• know how to protect yourself against mosquito bites during your trip
• contact a travel health professional to find out if you should take antimalarial tablets.  Children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with certain medical conditions are at an increased risk of becoming severely unwell if they develop malaria and may be recommended to take tablets to prevent malaria (antimalarials).

If you develop a high temperature (fever) during your trip, or for up to a month on return, you should seek medical advice as soon as possible and tell the doctor about your recent travel history.