The Ministry of Health announced on April 22 that a new case of measles was detected by INCIENSA in the canton of La Cruz, Guanacaste. The patient is a 35-year-old Guatemalan man who works as a transporter and traveled from Mexico to Costa Rica. He reported having received two doses of the vaccine but does not have documentation to prove it.
This case marks the fifth confirmed instance of measles in Costa Rica during 2026. The Ministry said it is working with the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) to activate established protocols, including contact tracing, searching for possible related cases, and implementing containment measures to protect public health.
Costa Rica has not had endemic cases of measles since 1999. Previous imported cases this year were identified in Pérez Zeledón, Pococà de Limón, Coronado, and ParaÃso. Measles is described as a highly contagious viral disease that begins with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes before a rash appears on the face and spreads across the body. It can be transmitted through air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
Health authorities remind that vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent measles. In Costa Rica’s immunization schedule, children receive two doses: one at 15 months old and another at four years old.
The Ministry said it will continue monitoring for further cases and taking necessary actions to safeguard public health.
