Published on Monday, May 12, 2025
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The Ministry of Health has announced that all travelers departing from Costa Rica to Colombia, both residents and tourists, must show proof of yellow fever vaccination.

The measure is a direct response to a yellow fever outbreak in Colombia, which recently declared a health emergency after confirming 60 cases and 24 deaths this year.

Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne viral illness transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Common symptoms include fever, chills, nausea, muscle aches, and headaches, typically resolving within five days. However, approximately 15% of cases progress to a more severe phase, marked by liver damage (often signaled by jaundice), abdominal pain, bleeding, and potential kidney failure.

The health authorities emphasized that travelers must receive the vaccine at least 10 days before departing Costa Rica, a mandatory requirement for exiting the country.

In addition to the travel mandate, the government is launching a targeted yellow fever vaccination campaign this week for high-risk workers. This includes employees of the Ministries of Health, Public Security, Environment, and Agriculture, as well as members of the Costa Rican Red Cross.

While yellow fever vaccination requirements for travel to other high-risk nations (including Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Guyana, French Guiana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, and certain African countries) remain suspended, officials noted that the policy is subject to change depending on global conditions.

Following concerns raised by the Health Chamber regarding a vaccine shortage, the government has officially revoked the previous requirement for travelers arriving from high-risk regions (except Colombia) to be vaccinated.

This policy change coincides with the arrival of 34,000 new doses of yellow fever vaccine in Costa Rica. The vaccine is now available again at private hospitals and pharmacies nationwide.

As of Sunday, May 11, Costa Rica has reported no confirmed cases of yellow fever.

Additionally, the Social Security has launched its annual influenza vaccination campaign, aiming to immunize approximately 1.5 million people.

A.M. Costa Rica encourages readers to share this health advisory within their communities.

The Ministry of Public Health oversees both public and private healthcare systems and is responsible for implementing and enforcing health regulations.

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