Yellow Fever Arrives in Costa Rica

The Costa Rican Ministry of Health recently reported a positive case of yellow fever following the results issued by the laboratory of the Costa Rican Institute for Research and Teaching in Nutrition and Health.

This is a 29-year-old American patient who arrived from the Amazon region of Peru on October 8, 2025. According to available information, the patient had not been vaccinated against yellow fever. She is currently hospitalized in a Costa Rican Social Security Fund hospital, where she is receiving specialized medical care.

In a media release on October 12, 2025, the Health Ministry wrote It's worth noting that the patient's partner, who has been vaccinated against yellow fever, tested negative for the disease after undergoing laboratory tests.

The institution also reiterates the importance of all people planning to visit countries endemic for yellow fever, such as Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Guyana, French Guiana, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, Suriname, and tropical African countries, getting vaccinated at least 10 days before their trip.

A yellow fever vaccination (YF-VAX or Stamaril) certificate may be required at the airport for those visiting Costa Rica.

In 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expanded its yellow fever vaccine recommendations for certain travelers.