After surveying 348 cows across 19 farms in the area, 44 infected cows were identified, quarantined and killed to control the spread of the bacteria that affects people as well as animals.
The president said he didn't want his cancelled plans to elicit concern, but wanted to be around to coordinate any potential emergency response related to the volcano.
Nighttime images from a live video camera operated by the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) at the Turrialba Volcano are showing an incandescent glow, meaning lava or other incandescent material is present in the volcano's eruptions.
Juan SantamarÃa International Airport reopened around 11:30 a.m. Friday after a nearly 18-hour closure. Authorities warned that the reopening could be temporary, depending on future activity at Turrialba Volcano.
UPDATED at 7 p.m.: Juan SantamarÃa International Airport will remain closed until at least 8 a.m. Friday. Airport spokeswoman Silvia Chávez said that reopening was conditional on overnight activity at Turrialba Volcano.
Tall, white columns of vapor and gas on Wednesday morning surprised residents near the Turrialba Volcano, east of Cartago, as the western crater registered increased activity that formed a 1.5-kilometer fumarole, the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica reported.
