Costa Rican Health Officials Report Surge in Chikungunya Cases, Raising Epidemic Concerns
Health officials in Costa Rica have reported a significant increase in chikungunya virus cases, marking the first confirmed case since 2016. A 24-year-old man from Esparza, Puntarenas, was identified as the initial case in late January. Since then, the country has recorded 82 cases, with 48 confirmed, compared to just 8 cases in 2025 with no confirmations. The outbreak is concentrated in the northwestern regions, affecting provinces such as San Jose, Puntarenas, Guanacaste, Alajuela, and Heredia. Chikungunya is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and causes symptoms like high fever and severe joint pain, which can lead to chronic pain and disability. 
