CDC issues Level 1 travel notice for hepatitis A outbreak in Costa Rica
Travellers are advised to practice usual health precautions as the majority of reported cases are concentrated in San José province.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 1 travel notice regarding an ongoing outbreak of hepatitis A in Costa Rica. The advisory, published on 18 September 2026, directs travellers to practice usual health precautions while visiting the country.
Level 1 notices are the lowest tier of the CDC’s travel health alert system, indicating that while a health risk exists, it does not currently warrant a higher level of warning. The agency emphasises that standard hygiene and food safety measures are sufficient for most visitors during this period.
The outbreak involves hepatitis A, a viral infection that is typically transmitted through contaminated food or water. Although the specific start date of the outbreak has not been provided in the initial report, the CDC has confirmed that the virus is circulating within the country.
Geographically, the majority of reported cases are located in San José province. However, health officials have not stated that the outbreak is limited exclusively to this region, suggesting that cases may exist elsewhere in Costa Rica.
At this stage, the total number of confirmed cases has not been specified in the source material. The CDC continues to monitor the situation and will update the travel notice if the risk profile changes or if additional data becomes available.
Travellers planning trips to Costa Rica should remain aware of local health conditions and consult with their healthcare providers if they have specific concerns regarding vaccination or exposure risks.