Illegal mining in Crucitas accounts for 88% of local malaria cases in Costa Rica

Costa Rica's Ministry of Health has identified the illegal mining enclave of Crucitas, located in the Cutris district of San Carlos, as the primary active transmission focus for malaria in the country. According to official reports, this single site concentrates 88 percent of all local malaria contagions nationwide.

In parallel epidemiological updates released via Epidemiological Bulletin No. 37, the Ministry also reported a 38.6 percent cumulative increase in dengue cases compared to the same period in the previous year. The country has recorded a total of 5,302 dengue cases, which includes 104 patients presenting with severe warning signs.