He Costa Rican Ministry of Health confirmed that it increased to 47 the number of people identified within the foodborne illness outbreak preliminarily associated with a commercial establishment located in Ciudad Colón de Mora, a health emergency that has already left one person dead and keeps another hospitalized in stable condition.
The update was issued after several days of epidemiological investigation developed jointly between the Ministry of Health, the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), the Costa Rican Institute for Research and Teaching in Nutrition and Health (INCIENSA) and the National Animal Health Service (SENASA).
In addition to the 47 cases already linked to the outbreak, authorities reported another 45 patients who remain under investigation and waiting for laboratory results to determine if they are also related to the consumption of food in the establishment intervened.
The case began to attract national attention last weekend, when medical services began to detect multiple patients with severe gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain and general malaise. As the investigation progressed, The health authorities confirmed several positive results for salmonella and ordered the temporary closure of the suspected premises.
The first official reports initially spoke of 32 associated cases and nine confirmed salmonella infections. However, as epidemiological analyzes and clinical interviews expanded, the number of affected people continued to grow.
According to information released by national media, more than 80 people presented gastrointestinal symptoms related to the case, although not all are yet part of the epidemiologically confirmed group.
The health authorities indicated that one of the main lines of investigation points to possible problems in the handling and conservation of food within the commercial establishment investigated. During the inspections carried out at the site, the Ministry of Health reported inconsistencies related to cleaning, disinfection, temperature control and food handling processes.
SENASA is also participating in research to track the traceability of meat products linked to trade, while INCIENSA continues to process microbiological samples to determine the exact origin of the contamination.
Given the growth of the outbreak, the Ministry of Health also launched a public warning to reinforce preventive measures both in homes and in restaurants and food businesses.
Among the main recommendations are consume only in establishments with a valid health permit, verify the hygiene conditions of the premises and observe that the staff properly use handling implements such as hair protectors and frequent hand washing.
Authorities also stressed the importance of thoroughly cooking meat and poultry, avoiding cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods, maintaining adequate refrigeration, and not consuming products with altered appearance or smell.
The Ministry recalled that symptoms such as intense diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, fever or vomiting require immediate medical attention, especially in people who recently consumed food in the Ciudad Colón area.
The outbreak once again put the debate on health inspection in food establishments in Costa Rica on the table, particularly in relation to restaurants, sodas and high-turnover businesses.
Salmonella is a bacteria that is usually transmitted through contaminated food, especially undercooked meat products, eggs, dairy products, or surfaces contaminated by poor handling.
The Ministry of Health reported that it will continue to carry out inspections and epidemiological monitoring while the pending analyzes are carried out. The institution also clarified that the information will continue to be updated as the laboratory results progress.
For now, authorities have not publicly revealed the name of the commercial establishment investigated nor have they officially confirmed the specific food that caused the outbreak.
The case remains under active surveillance and could become one of the most relevant food outbreaks recorded in Costa Rica in recent years due to the number of people affected and the death associated with the investigation.
