Costa Rica confirms 14 Hepatitis A cases amid water contamination

The Costa Rican Ministry of Health has confirmed a total of 14 cases of Hepatitis A linked to outbreaks in the districts of Aserrí and San Juan de Dios de Desamparados. Authorities report that none of the affected individuals have required hospitalization or resulted in fatalities.

Following the outbreak, technical inspections of local water supply systems were conducted in coordination with the Aserrí Municipal Aqueduct and ASADA Poás y Barrio Corazón de Jesús. Testing of 10 water samples revealed significant issues within the Lourdes System of the Aserrí Municipal Aqueduct, including insufficient residual chlorine levels, the presence of sediment, and contamination with fecal coliforms from the source through to the distributed water.

In contrast, water samples from the system managed by ASADA Poás y Barrio Corazón de Jesús showed no microbiological contamination. The Ministry of Health has ordered the Aserrí Municipal Aqueduct to implement corrective measures to ensure proper disinfection and regulatory compliance. The aqueduct has since reported that the water is fit for consumption following these interventions.