toontowndoc

My MD friend just returned from CR last week,and happened to mention that they took malaria preventative medication.They were on the coast near Playa Coco.We will be going in mid-January to Arenal/Monteverde,Manual Antonio,and the Osa.Any need to worry about this,or any recent reports of malaria outbreaks in these areas? If so,what type of medication?

Kinkazote

This made me curious enough to seek out advice from the CDC website. Actually, they do suggest malaria prophylaxis for some areas:

"Risk in Alajuela, Limón, Guanacaste, and Heredia provinces. No risk in Limón city (Puerto Limón)."

I don't know how far away that risk is from 0% if you use DEET. I've not taken anything before going to CR and won't in the future.

The areas that you are going to in the dry season would seem to be at the lowest risk, for the most part.

The advice above is from a gambler, not a tropical medical special specialist.

volcanogirl

We've never taken any meds and haven't had any problems. I would say most people do not take them, but it's up to you for your own peace of mind. Sometimes there are side effects with the meds. We do always wear repellent though. I've asked our guides about it, and they said Dengue Fever is more of a worry than malaria, but there are no preventatives for Dengue. In dry season in particular, I wouldn't be that worried like Kinkazote said.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

I find the CDC recommendations to be of limited use in this case. Heredia and Alajuela provinces start just north and west of San Jose and go all the way up to the Nicaraguan border. That's a broad area, and isn't very specific.

If you end up taking a preventative medication, it would be chloroquine. Most people I know who come to Costa Rica do not take anything for malaria. Is that risky? Maybe.

qwovadis

No tourist malaria at all in US tourists to CR.Most do not take
a preventive.CDC recc. is only for
RURAL jungly RISK areas in those
provinces for long term campers trekkers in those areas.

2 million US tourists to CR no tourist
malaria therefore risk of medication
side effect greater than risk of malaria(currently 0/2 million)

www.cdc.gov insect prevention is best

also works for Dengue Fever recently epidemic around Quepos.

Continental_Drifter

We also checked the CDC website and spoke with a neighbor who works for the CDC here in Atlanta. Based on his advice, we did not treat for malaria, but it really depends on whether you are potentially one who has compromised immunities, including elderly folk or small children.

We took our three children (10, 12 and 14) at the beginning of the rainy season and did not encounter any problem in the Guanacaste area. We did get bitten some, even with DEET, however.

Don't underestimate the need for bug spray during the early afternoon hours, especially on the beaches or in shady areas.

If you ARE going to take the meds, you have to start the meds early before the trip, so follow your MD's advice on when to start the meds in order to get the best result.