The mosquito situation in Costa Rica, specifically in the Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge, is a significant concern for both locals and tourists. The region's tropical climate provides the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes, leading to high populations of these pesky insects. The abundance of standing water sources, such as marshes, rivers, and ponds, further exacerbates the issue, as mosquitoes lay their eggs in water.

Mosquito-borne diseases are also a major worry in this area. The most common mosquito-borne illness in Costa Rica is dengue fever, which is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Symptoms of dengue fever include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rash, and mild bleeding. In severe cases, dengue fever can be life-threatening.

In addition to dengue fever, other mosquito-borne diseases like Zika virus and Chikungunya are also present in Costa Rica. These diseases can cause similar symptoms to dengue fever and pose a significant health risk to those infected. Prevention measures such as using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, and avoiding outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours are recommended to reduce the risk of mosquito bites and subsequent infections.

Mosquito-borne diseases in the area

Further information