The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice for Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Province, where most cases have been reported in the popular beach destination of Playa Langosta.<\/p>\n
Known for its beaches, surfing and hiking, Guanacaste is one of Costa Rica’s most popular tourist regions.<\/p>\n
STOMACH BUGS SURGING AS DOCTORS SAY CERTAIN TRAVEL ESSENTIALS COULD SAVE YOUR TRIP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The agency is advising travelers to protect themselves against mosquito bites<\/a> while visiting the area.<\/p>\n Chikungunya is spread through mosquito bites; it typically causes fever and severe joint pain, the CDC said in the travel notice.\u00a0<\/p>\n Americans traveling to Costa Rica are being urged to take extra precautions after U.S. health officials issued a new travel warning over an outbreak of the mosquito-borne virus chikungunya. (iStock)<\/p>\n Symptoms usually begin three to seven days after an infected mosquito bite and may also include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling and rash.<\/p>\n While most people recover within a week, “some can have severe joint pain for months to years following acute illness,” the CDC warns.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n There is no specific treatment for chikungunya, according to the agency.\u00a0<\/p>\n Prevention is the best way to avoid infection.<\/p>\n Health officials recommend using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants and staying in accommodations with air conditioning or window screens. (iStock)<\/p>\n The CDC recommends using insect repellent<\/a>, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants and staying in accommodations with air conditioning or window screens. Vaccinations are also recommended for eligible travelers visiting an outbreak area.<\/p>\n Officials have confirmed four cases and identified another 17 probable cases linked to the outbreak, according to a notice from Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health. Both Costa Rican residents and foreign visitors are among the cases under investigation.<\/p>\n The Costa Rica advisory is the latest in a series of chikungunya-related travel alerts.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Specialized teams have fumigated approximately 5,000 homes and eliminated mosquito breeding sites in an effort to contain the outbreak, the notice stated.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The CDC also advises pregnant women<\/a> to reconsider traveling to the affected area, particularly if they’re close to delivering their baby, because the virus can be passed to a newborn around the time of birth.<\/p>\n Travelers who develop fever, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling or a rash during or after their trip should seek medical care, the agency said.<\/p>\n The cases under investigation include Costa Rican residents and foreign visitors. (iStock)<\/p>\n Fox News Digital reached out to the CDC for comment.<\/p>\n The advisory in Costa Rica is the latest in a series of chikungunya-related travel alerts.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/guide-tourists-ecotour-cahuita-national-park.jpg\")
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