Costa Rica's Malaria Outbreak Slows

According to data recently announced from the Health Surveillance Directorate of the Costa Rican Ministry of Health, during epidemiological week #16, the Huetar Caribbean Region registered a marked decrease in malaria cases in the cantons of Limón and Pococí.

As of April 28, 2023, Limón reported 19 cases during week #15, while for week #16, 5 patients were registered, and for week #17, just 3 cases were reported, offering evidence of a significant decrease.

Furthermore, no malaria cases were identified in the canton of Talamanca, which corresponds to the South Caribbean, despite active inter-institutional searches in the border area with Panama and passive pursuits.

During the last weeks, the containment actions established by the Ministry of Health in conjunction with the Costa Rican Social Security Fund have been maintained, such as exhaustive tracking of all people in contact with confirmed cases.

Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite that spreads to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.

Previously, the U.S. CDC issued an Alert - Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions confirming an outbreak of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Limón and Alajuela Province.

Malaria can be prevented by taking a prescription antimalarial drug to kill the parasites, and in some countries, other than the U.S., malaria vaccines are available as of April 30, 2023.