The four counties of Guanacaste with larger population are in red alert due to seasonal influenza.

Since the beginning of December cases of cough and flu were reported and have increased in the hospitals Enrique Baltodano in Liberia and La Anexion in Nicoya.

In the past two weeks 4 deaths were reported related to the seasonal influenza, these four patients had not been vaccinated.

“We’ve had an increase in cases of infection of the respiratory tract. In patients with risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, immunosuppressant illnesses, these infections get more complicated, they quickly develop into a bronchopneumonia and then into what we call a severe respiratory insufficiency; many patients end up with mechanical ventilation”, said Vanessa Montiel, interim director at the Enrique Baltodano Hospital, to Costa Rican news site CRHOY.

The Guanacaste hospitals are taking measures to prevent more cases of influenza, they are restricting the number of visitors to sick patients and asking the population to only go to the hospital in the event of real emergencies. Patients with minor symptoms are prompted to stay home.

Symptoms of alert include: Difficulty breathing, dry cough and fever.

Protect your health:

Wash your hands thoroughly with water and soap several times a day
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing preferably with a paper napkin, handkerchief or your forearm.
Do not share forks, spoons or glasses.
Clean and disinfect surfaces
Avoid crowded places
If you have cold symptoms stay at home and go to the emergency services only if necessary
Get vaccinated