The U.S. Is Warning Travelers About an Outbreak in This Popular Beach Destination-Citing ‘Severe Illness’

Key Points:

• The CDC has issued a travel advisory warning about a chikungunya virus outbreak in Costa Rica's Guanacaste Province, particularly in Playa Langosta, urging travelers to take precautions such as vaccination, using insect repellent, and wearing protective clothing.
• Chikungunya symptoms include joint pain, rashes, headaches, and muscle pain, with some cases leading to prolonged severe joint issues; vulnerable groups include newborns, older adults, and those with underlying health conditions.
• Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health has responded by fumigating around 5,000 homes and implementing vector control measures to contain the virus and protect residents and visitors.
• Playa Langosta, a popular beach destination known for surfing, is at the center of the outbreak, which poses concerns as tourism continues to grow, with over 2.6 million visitors to Costa Rica in 2025 primarily for leisure.
• The CDC has issued similar chikungunya warnings for other regions and maintains ongoing travel health notices worldwide, currently advising against nonessential travel to parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to an Ebola outbreak.