CDC Issues Travel Advisory for Costa Rica Due to Hepatitis A Outbreak

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 1 travel notice for Costa Rica, advising Americans to practice usual precautions due to an outbreak of hepatitis A. The advisory applies to the entire country, with the majority of reported cases concentrated in the San Jose province.

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver disease transmitted through the fecal-oral route, close personal contact, or consumption of contaminated food and beverages. While it does not typically become chronic and most individuals recover fully, severe cases, especially in older adults or those with pre-existing liver conditions, can lead to acute liver failure, which can be fatal.

Approximately 1.5 million Americans visited Costa Rica in 2024, representing about 60 percent of the country's international visitors, according to the Costa Rican Tourism Institute.

The CDC recommends vaccination against hepatitis A, maintaining good hygiene, avoiding the sharing of needles, and practicing safe sex to prevent transmission. Symptoms, which can appear two to seven weeks after exposure, include fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dark urine, pale stools, and jaundice. While young children may experience no symptoms, older children and adults commonly develop them. Infections can last up to six months in some cases.

Globally, the World Health Organization estimated 35,570 hepatitis A-related deaths in 2023. In the U.S., the CDC reported 1,648 cases in 2023, with an estimated 3,300 infections when accounting for underreporting. That same year, 85 hepatitis A-related deaths were reported in the United States.

There is no specific medication to treat hepatitis A; treatment focuses on rest, hydration, and nutrition. The hepatitis A vaccine is routinely given to children starting at age one and is recommended for adults at increased risk of infection, including travelers to regions where the virus is prevalent. The vaccine can also be administered as post-exposure prophylaxis within two weeks of exposure.