The Pan American Health Organization issued an epidemiological alert on the potential spread on the continent of the mosquito-borne viral disease Zika, which is similar to dengue and Chikungunya, but with milder symptoms.
Coming down with dengue or chikungunya is a feverish nightmare. Now imagine having both viruses at the same time. That's what happened to two residents of the Pacific community of Chomes, in Puntarenas, who tested positive for both viruses, Costa Rica’s Health Ministry reported Thursday.
Costa Rican Health Ministry officials on Thursday confirmed two more cases of the chikungunya virus. Both were reported in the central Pacific community of Jacó, bringing the total number of cases to 47.
Over the weekend, the Health Ministry confirmed the first local case of the chikungunya virus in the Pacific town of Parrita, Costa Rica. This marks the first time the mosquito-borne virus has been locally transmitted in Costa Rica, according to Dr. Daniel Salas with the ministry’s health surveillance department.
Central America's recent drought may be causing losses in the country's agriculture sector and the drinking water supply, but the unusually dry rainy season has also meant fewer mosquitoes and a significant drop in the number of cases of dengue in both Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
