Q COSTA RICA — The Ministerio de Salud (Ministry of Health) reported a marked increase in syphilis and gonorrhea diagnoses during 2026. The official epidemiological report, based on records from the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS), confirmed that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are on an upward trend, disproportionately affecting the young population and revealing significant regional disparities.
As of the 40th epidemiological week of 2026, the country had recorded 2,954 cases of syphilis in all its forms—a figure exceeding the 2,481 infections reported during the same period in 2025. This represents a 19.06% increase in nationwide notifications.
The highest concentration of diagnoses is found among individuals aged 20 to 34, accounting for 1,217 cases; the 25–29 age group has the highest incidence, with a rate of 108.2 per 100,000 inhabitants.
Geographically, the province of Limón faces the most concerning situation, with a rate of 109.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants—nearly double the national average for Costa Rica, which stands at 56.6.
In terms of volume, San José accounts for the highest absolute number of diagnoses, with 1,200 recorded cases.
The official report also highlighted detections in infants under one year of age—a situation that necessitates thorough clinical evaluations to determine how many of these cases are the result of vertical transmission or congenital syphilis acquired during pregnancy.
Regarding gonorrhea, the healthcare system recorded 1,335 cases, compared to 1,188 the previous year—an increase of 12.37%. More than 50% of these diagnoses occur in adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 29, with the 20–24 age group accounting for 355 infections.
The gender distribution reveals a significant gap: the rate among men reached 44.9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to 6.4 among women. This ratio confirms that the reported burden among the male population is seven times higher than that among the female population.
The bacterial origin of both conditions shapes their clinical presentation.
Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Its initial manifestation is a painless ulcer, known as a chancre, which can appear on the genitals, rectum, or in the mouth. If an individual does not receive appropriate antibiotic treatment, the infection may progress to secondary stages—characterized by skin rashes and mucosal lesions—and potentially advance to late-stage complications, including neurological or cardiovascular impairment, or irreversible damage to internal organs.
Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which colonizes the mucous membranes of the genital, urinary, rectal, and pharyngeal tracts. It causes a burning sensation during urination and purulent discharge from the male urethra. In women, symptoms are often mild or entirely absent, which hinders early detection and increases the risk of serious complications, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pain, and infertility.
Effective prevention of these conditions requires the consistent use of condoms during all sexual activity, as they serve as a proven physical barrier against the bodily fluids and lesions that transmit these bacteria. Health authorities recommend regular screening for sexually active individuals, ensuring timely detection before long-term complications can develop.
Prenatal care is a high priority, as it allows for serological screening during each trimester of pregnancy, with the goal of eliminating mother-to-child transmission. In the event of a positive result, medical guidelines mandate the completion of the prescribed treatment regimen.