No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeAirportsCosta Rica begins fumigating planes at international airports to halt spread of...

Costa Rica begins fumigating planes at international airports to halt spread of animal disease

Costa Rica’s National Animal Health Service (SENASA) this week began fumigating all aircraft entering the country as well as some flights leaving its international terminals in order to prevent the spread of animal disease across borders.

The measure is part of a public health program that seeks to establish a sanitary barrier to prevent the transmission of exotic diseases, especially those that can be transmitted from animals to humans, the agency stated.

SENASA hopes to avoid the entry here of West Nile Virus, equine encephalitis, yellow fever, bluetongue, which affects livestock, and other emerging diseases.

SENASA staff are fumigating the cargo area as well as baggage carried on all planes entering the country. They are also fumigating planes departing Costa Rica and flying to Mexico, Dominican Republic and all Central American countries. The process takes about five minutes and is not causing any flight delays, the agency reported.

SENASA Director Bernardo Jaén said vector-borne diseases, mainly those transmitted by insects, are currently of high concern to all international health agencies and are becoming an increasingly serious problem — economically and in terms of public and animal health — for several countries.

The cost of the fumigation, which ranges from ₡10,000 to ₡20,000 ($18.50 to $37) depending on the type of aircraft, will be charged to each airline, Jaén said.

SENASA will maintain round-the-clock fumigation staff at the country’s three international airports, Juan Santamaría (SJO), Daniel Oduber (LIR) and Tobías Bolaños (SYQ).

Trending Now

Why This U.S. Expat in Costa Rica Chooses Local Over Headlines

In the weeks leading up to my trip to the US, I scanned several news sites both left-leaning and right-leaning to better inform myself...

Costa Rica U-17 Women’s Team Earns Historic Draw vs Brazil

Costa Rica's under-17 women's national soccer team marked a milestone in their history with a 1-1 draw against Brazil during the FIFA U-17 Women's...

Costa Rica Adds 17th Accessible Beach at Playa Blanca

Costa Rica added another spot to its list of inclusive coastal destinations this week. Playa Blanca in Punta Morales de Chomes now stands as...

Panama Canal to Build Two Ports by 2029, Boosting Capacity

The Panama Canal plans to build two ports for $2.6 billion by 2029 amid uncertainty over the future of Hong Kong–based concessionaire Hutchison Holdings,...

Costa Rica Shaken by a Quake with No Injuries Reported

A strong earthquake struck near Quepos late last night, sending tremors across parts of our country and even into our neighbor Panama. The quake,...

Venezuela’s Maduro Asks Court to Strip Opposition Leader of Citizenship

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has filed a request with the country's Supreme Court to revoke the nationality of opposition leader Leopoldo López, accusing him...
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica