Costa Rica reports 967 gonorrhea cases in 2026

Costa Rica has recorded 967 cases of gonorrhea through the 31st epidemiological week of 2026, according to the Ministry of Health. This figure represents an 8% increase compared to the 895 cases reported during the same period in 2025.

San José province accounts for the highest number of cases with 413 notifications, representing 42.7% of the national total. Limón and Puntarenas follow with 125 and 116 cases, respectively. While San José has the most total cases, Limón reports the highest incidence rate at 27.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, exceeding the national average of 18.5.

The Plataforma Civil de Incidencia Comunitaria a la Respuesta del VIH (Placic) reports that, on average, one person is diagnosed every six hours, with at least four cases reported daily. Health officials suggest the increase may stem from higher transmission rates among sexually active populations or improved detection and notification by health services.

In response to these trends, community organizations are calling for strengthened sexual education, expanded access to health services, and efforts to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with sexually transmitted infections.