Costa Rica health officials report the confirmation of the third positive case of chikungunya in the country during 2026, according to the results issued by the CCSS laboratory. The sample has been sent to the Costa Rican Institute for Research and Teaching in Nutrition and Health (INCIENSA) for confirmation.
The patient is a 45-year-old man, a resident of Guanacaste, of foreign nationality, who is not experiencing any health complications. According to the epidemiological investigation, the patient entered the country during the incubation period, making it an imported case.
Chikungunya: An interview with Dr Roger Nasci
Chikungunya fever is a disease caused by a virus transmitted by mosquito bites. There had been no active circulation of this virus in Costa Rica since 2017; however, two cases have already been reported in Esparza in 2026 (HERE and HERE).
The most common symptoms include:
High fever (greater than 39 °C)
Joint pain and inflammation
Headache
Nausea and general malaise
The Ministry of Health maintains active epidemiological surveillance and continues to coordinate actions for mosquito control, with the aim of protecting the population and preventing the spread of the disease.
The public is advised to:
Use mosquito repellent
Wear long-sleeved clothing
Use mosquito nets
Eliminate mosquito breeding grounds, such as containers with stagnant water
Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms appear.