Q COSTA RICA — The confirmation of two cases of monkeypox — also known as Mpox (viruela símica in Spanish) in San José has led Costa Rican health authorities to activate surveillance protocols and emphasize that the disease does not pose a high risk of transmission to the population.
The Ministry of Health, along with the Costa Rican Institute for Research and Teaching in Nutrition and Health (INCIENSA), confirmed that the patients are two men, ages 25 and 55, residents of the capital.
It was determined that neither patient had left the country in the last 30 days. Furthermore, investigations indicate that the two cases are not epidemiologically related.
Health authorities indicated that both cases were detected early and that the affected individuals are under medical monitoring and without serious complications.
To date, no new confirmed cases associated with this investigation have been identified. However, the investigation continues to identify the source of infection and trace the contacts of both cases in order to implement the corresponding surveillance and control measures.
The Ministry of Health urges the public to act responsibly, respectfully, and empathetically toward those diagnosed, their contacts, and families.
Furthermore, it is important to remember that Mpox is primarily transmitted through close physical contact with an infected person, including skin-to-skin contact, contact with skin lesions, bodily fluids, respiratory secretions during prolonged contact, or through contaminated personal items.
According to Juan José Romero, an epidemiologist at the National University (UNA), Mpox requires very close and prolonged physical contact to spread, which considerably limits its transmissibility.
“This is a very difficult disease to transmit because it requires very close, prolonged contact between an infected person and susceptible individuals,” Romero explained.
To reduce the risk of transmission, the following is recommended:
- Avoid close physical contact, including sexual contact, with people who have lesions consistent with the disease or who have a confirmed diagnosis.
- Do not share personal items, such as towels, bedding, or utensils, with sick people.
- Maintain frequent and proper hand hygiene.
- People who develop skin lesions similar to pimples or blisters, accompanied by fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, or general malaise, should promptly visit the nearest health facility for evaluation.
The Ministry of Health maintains active epidemiological surveillance in coordination with the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) and INCIENSA.
Health authorities recommend that those who develop symptoms consistent with the disease seek medical attention as soon as possible and notify health authorities to facilitate the epidemiological investigation.
Mpox initially manifests with fever, general malaise, and cold-like symptoms, before the characteristic skin lesions appear, which can occur anywhere on the body.
These lesions often progress to form vesicles, and the diagnosis should consider a history of travel to countries where the virus is circulating or close contact with infected individuals.
Although a significant portion of infections worldwide occurs during sexual contact, Mpox is not classified as a sexually transmitted infection.
“It is not a sexually transmitted disease, but rather it is related to close contact,” the specialist clarified.
In Costa Rica, monitoring of Mpox began in 2022, when the country registered its first case and became the first in Central America to sequence the virus’s complete genome.
Since then, the epidemiological surveillance system has been strengthened, with specific guidelines for the detection and control of the disease.
Between 2022 and 2025, several suspected cases were ruled out by PCR tests, and only sporadic cases have been confirmed, with active surveillance by the authorities.
The emergence of the two recent cases in San José coincides with a regional context of heightened surveillance of infectious diseases. Official information on monkeypox and preventive measures is available through the Ministry of Health’s official channels and urged the public to consult only reliable sources upon the detection of new cases.