[BLOG] TICO BULL – I can see the confusion, especially from the “geographically challenged” concerned about Ebola in Costa Rica.
The concern, from the emails received, are due to the fact that there are two Liberias, one right in here in Ticolandia, the city in the province of Guanacaste and the other, a LONG way away, on a different continent, the country in Africa!
If you look at any map, you will see that Liberia in Costa Rica and Liberia in Africa are divided by some 5.000 miles of ocean.
However, that doesn’t mean we don’t have to worry.
Costa Rica receives each year more than two million visitors from all over the world, the majority coming in for some fun in the sun.
But there are a small number crossing the borders illegally into Costa Rica, looking for a better of life in the land of Pura Vida, others making their way north to the United States. Among the illegals are many from African countries. Just the other day we had a “coyote”, the term used for individuals involved in smuggling people into Costa Rica, admitted to hospital for a possible case of Ebola. The man admitted coming into contact with his African clients. Ebola was ruled out by Costa Rica health officials.
The other concern may be a sudden influx of Americans, “gringos”, escaping the U.S. and coming down over the Nicaragua/Costa Rica border.
So far there have been no reports of any possible cases in Nicaragua.
The Nicaraguans are waiting the arrival of Cuban experts to advise local health workers in the fight against Ebola.
I must have confidence in Costa Rica’s proactive approach by the medical community and security forces.
Article first appeared on TICO BULL, reposted with permission
