A tropical travel hotspot is facing an outbreak of a deadly mosquito-borne virus as cases spread in the Americas.
The CDC issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Costa Rica, urging US citizens to ‘practice enhanced precautions’ as chikungunya plagues the Guanacaste Province.
The incurable virus is spread through mosquito bites, which causes a life-threatening high fever, excruciating joint and muscle pain, and a rash.
Costa Rica’s health ministry declared an active outbreak in the popular beach town Playa Langosta on July 1.
The US Embassy in the country alerted travelers to the outbreak last week, warning there was now local transmission of the virus, meaning it is present in the mosquito population and not just arriving in the country via people who have been infected elsewhere.
Out of 45 suspected cases, officials confirmed four were from the virus and 17 were classified as ‘probable.’
The ministry said the the outbreak has impacted both Costa Rican nationals and foreigners.
So far, the vacation destination reported 16 confirmed cases of chikungunya virus this year, including during this active outbreak.
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