Costa Rica’s Hepatitis A Cases More Than Double in 2026
COSTA RICA · HEALTHCARE
Key Facts
- —What happened Costa Rica has confirmed 772 hepatitis A cases in 2026, more than double last year’s total of 373.
- —How big San José province alone accounts for 562 of those cases, about 73% of the nationwide total.
- —What it means Health officials blame gaps in the water supply, since hepatitis A spreads through contaminated water and food.
- —The catch Most patients are working-age adults aged 20 to 64, making up 601 of the 772 total cases.
- —What comes next Health officials have stepped up surveillance in schools and food businesses while urging safer water use.
Hepatitis A cases in Costa Rica have more than doubled this year, with San José hit hardest.
Costa Rica has confirmed 772 hepatitis A cases so far in 2026. That is more than double the 373 cases reported for all of last year, according to Infobae.
Health officials say most cases are clustered in the San José area. The capital province accounts for 562 of the total, or 73% of all cases nationwide.
San José at the Center of the Outbreak
San José is Costa Rica’s capital province, the country’s most populous region. Investigators say gaps in the local water supply are helping the virus spread there.
Health inspectors detected contamination in part of the water system in August. That finding supported the outbreak’s link to unsafe water, officials said.
The outbreak has touched several communities within San José province. Health teams have investigated cases across the capital area since August.
Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by a virus. It spreads mainly through contaminated water and food.
Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health has been tracking the outbreak since early 2026. The ministry updates its case count regularly as new tests confirm infections.
A similar outbreak in July 2023 involved just 13 confirmed cases at the time. This year’s total is many times larger already, health data show.
Working-Age Adults Make Up Most Cases
Most patients are working-age adults between 20 and 64 years old. That group makes up 601 of the 772 confirmed cases, health data show.
Health officials counted 111 cases among people aged 10 to 20. Just 26 cases involved children younger than 10, records show.
Older adults over 65 accounted for 31 cases. Just three infants under age one were affected, records show.
Common symptoms include fever, tiredness and stomach pain.
Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and eyes. It can show up in more severe cases of the infection.
Teenagers and young adults face a higher risk of severe symptoms, officials say. Jaundice and other complications are more common in that age group.
How Health Officials Are Responding
Costa Rica’s health ministry is urging residents to boil water before drinking it. It also recommends washing hands often with soap and water.
Officials are also asking people to handle food carefully and clean surfaces regularly. Both steps can help stop the virus from spreading further.
The ministry has stepped up surveillance in schools across the province. It is also watching food businesses more closely for signs of contamination.
A vaccine against hepatitis A exists and is considered highly effective. It usually takes a few weeks to build full protection.
Public health experts say outbreaks like this one are preventable. Continued investment in clean water systems could stop future flare-ups, they say.
More: Costa Rica news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is causing Costa Rica’s hepatitis A outbreak?
Health officials point to gaps in the water supply in the San José area. Hepatitis A spreads mainly through contaminated water and food.
How many hepatitis A cases has Costa Rica reported in 2026?
Costa Rica has confirmed 772 cases so far in 2026. That is more than double the 373 cases reported for all of last year.
Who is most affected by the outbreak?
Most patients are working-age adults between 20 and 64 years old. That age group makes up 601 of the 772 confirmed cases.
Sources: Infobae, La Nación (Costa Rica), The Tico Times, Outbreak News Today, Delfino.cr, Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud), and The Rio Times Online.
This article was drafted with automated assistance and reviewed before publication. How we use AI · Report an error
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