Costa Rica health authorities issue multiple sanitary alerts

Costa Rican health authorities and the U.S. Embassy have issued separate sanitary alerts regarding different health risks in the country.

The U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica issued a warning following a salmonella outbreak linked to the CIMA Hospital in Escazú, San José. Currently, there are 66 suspected cases and two laboratory-confirmed cases, with two individuals hospitalized. The outbreak appears to affect hospital workers, though the exact source of contamination remains under investigation. While foodborne illness is a primary hypothesis, authorities have not yet identified a specific contaminated product. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever.

Separately, the Costa Rican Ministry of Health issued a preventive alert regarding counterfeit ophthalmic products. This follows a detection by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of falsified versions of products, including ‘Manzanilla Sophia Úsala Diario’, which is marketed in Costa Rica. The counterfeit product is identified by lot number 160701DHR0, an expiration date of December 2030, and specific packaging text. Health officials warn that using counterfeit eye products can lead to irritation, infections, or visual impairments.