Costa Rica has reported 300 confirmed and probable cases of chikungunya so far in 2026, as the mosquito-borne virus continues to spread and a new outbreak is reported in Pavas, San José. Of the 300 cases recorded, 197 have been confirmed through laboratory testing and another 103 are considered probable while testing continues.
The number of cases increased by 55 in a single week, representing a rise of more than 20% and Guanacaste remains the area most affected by the outbreak. The Chorotega region, which includes much of the area, has recorded 158 cases, accounting for nearly 53% of the total number.
However, the latest concern is Pavas, one of the most populated areas of San José, where an outbreak has now been identified in several communities. Health teams have increased mosquito-control efforts in the area, including fumigation, inspections of homes and efforts to eliminate places where mosquitoes can reproduce.
The spread into the capital marks another step in the return of chikungunya to Costa Rica. At the beginning of the year, Costa Rica had recorded only a small number of cases, including infections linked to international travel however transmission was later detected, meaning people were becoming infected by mosquitoes inside Costa Rica.
Chikungunya is spread primarily by Aedes mosquitoes, the same mosquitoes that can transmit dengue and Zika. The illness usually causes fever and intense joint pain but other symptoms can include headaches, muscle pain, fatigue, swollen joints and skin rashes. Most patients recover, but joint pain can continue for weeks or even months in some cases. The disease is rarely fatal, although older adults, newborns and people with certain underlying health conditions can face a greater risk of complications.
There is no specific treatment for chikungunya but care generally focuses on controlling fever and pain, drinking fluids and resting. Because chikungunya and dengue can produce similar symptoms, people who become ill are advised to seek medical attention rather than attempting to determine the cause themselves.
The rainy season is helping create favorable conditions for mosquitoes to reproduce across Costa Rica. Aedes mosquitoes commonly lay their eggs in containers holding small amounts of standing water, including buckets, flowerpots, tires, gutters and other objects around homes and businesses.
Residents are being encouraged to remove standing water, use mosquito repellent and take other precautions to reduce the risk of bites. The situation is particularly relevant in Guanacaste, where many of Costa Rica’s most popular tourism destinations are located. There is currently no recommendation for travelers to avoid the province. Visitors and residents are instead being urged to take normal precautions against mosquito bites.
With 300 cases now reported and local outbreaks identified in different parts of Costa Rica, chikungunya has once again become an active public health concern in Costa Rica.
