Costa Rica remains under sanitary alert due to respiratory illnesses

Costa Rica remains under a sanitary alert due to higher-than-expected cases of respiratory illnesses, the Health Ministry says.

The organization, which first issued the bulletin in June, said in a follow-up last week that people in Costa Rica should continue taking cautionary measures to reduce the likelihood of sickness.

The National Children’s Hospital is reporting an average of 75 hospitalizations each week for respiratory causes. Last week, 25 patients presented in serious condition.

The Health Ministry issued the following note on its website:

There is a need for extreme hygiene measures and other preventive actions, especially for parents or guardians of children under one year of age: 

• Avoid areas of public gathering.
• Avoid contact between minors and sick people.
• Exercise correct hand washing habits with soap and water.
• Exercise recommended techniques when coughing or sneezing.
• Clean surfaces regularly.
• If you are sick, stay home and do not visit other people.
• Continue to breastfeed, if applicable. 
• Avoid smoking in front of children.
• Do not abandon treatment in case of asthmatic children

Hygiene measures are also vital for the protection of adults, given that at this time of year the cases of influenza increase.