I have ranted about that area for some time now, and only the people who actually live there knew what I was referring to. The old saying about “S–t flows down hill” has always been correct, and now, “down hill” means Jaco and points north and south.

This first came to my attention about four years ago when I read the incredible book, Costa Rica from Space, now no longer available. This book, published by Earth University, first detailed concerns and gave warning about the lack of sufficient waste treatment in Costa Rica and its long term effects.

This was confirmed only a year later by friends with beach property north of Jaco who were even then unable at times to use their beaches because of the black water (agua negra or raw sewage) flowing untouched from nearby rivers. Now the unrestrained growth in that area has finally gotten official attention.

Featured in today’s La Nacion, the headline reads, “Playa Jacó en peligro de ser insalubre dentro de 5 años”, or “The beaches in Jaco will be (unhealthy – but this really means unusable for use due to pollution) within 5 years.”

I am sure this will delight all those who have plunked down vast sums to get in on the Jaco-Quepos land rush.

I have no doubt the folks at Marriott’s Ocean & Golf Resort, Los Suenos are just thrilled to be reading this. What was not said is that already people have complained about the water as far south as Manual Antonio!

Above is a chart published by the (Costa Rica) water department.

You must click on it to get a readable size, but it bodes a scary future for those who live or plan to live in that area.

I guess the thing that concerns me the most is a number of baby-boomers who are moving into that area totally unaware of the potential problems.

The good news is that if they (and the developers) take strong action now, this dismal 5 year forecast can avoided.

The incidence of dengue this year has more than doubled from 2006, according to the latest statistics from the Ministerio de Salud. So far this year the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) and the ministry of Health have spent ¢1.5 billion colones (us$2.9 million dollars) attending patients and fumigating. Throughout the country more than 8,000 persons are ill. During the first 25 weeks of 2007, health officials said Friday that they logged 6,882 cases and two dengue-attributed deaths. During the same period in 2006, there were only 3,435 cases.

In Playas del Coco for example, it has been reported that the dengue virus has also affected the number of police available for service. The local Fuerza Pública captain, Johnny Fernández and two other officers were out for eight days. I am not sure how many staff that post, but I am betting this is about 80% of the entire police department. Local doctor Dr. Álvaro Ampié told the La Nación that he starts to see dengue patients from opening the doors at 7:00 AM and recently attended to 14 dengue patients by 2:30pm.

On the Caribbean side, the very popular Carnavale de Limón, held annually first week in October, is in danger of being canceled.

Health minister, María Luisa Ávila Agüero has stated that the popular carnival may be canceled if the number of cases of Dengue does not decrease within 2-3 weeks. She wants to see a 20% decrease in the number of new cases. The health ministry has a reported 3.413 cases of classic dengue and 40 cases of the far more dangerous hemorrhagic variety.

What is odd to me is that a BIG part of the problem is local hostility to those health workers who are spraying for mosquitoes in Limón centro. They have had numerous conflicts with local residents. I have NO idea what that is about, bit it seems like a pretty dumb idea to fight those charged with saving your bacon.

The Dengue mosquito only bites during fdaylight hours and use of repellent is very effective in reducing exposure.

For more information and articles, see:

http://www.therealcostarica.com/health_education_costa_rica/disease_costa_rica.html

http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2006/05/20/dengue-threat-and-other-stuff-for-travelers/

and

http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2005/12/05/traveling-to-costa-rica/