AGP Executive Report

Livestock Health Alert: The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the first New World screwworm case in South Texas after testing a sample from La Pryor, raising alarms for the $15B cattle industry and the risk of severe, flesh-infesting wounds in warm-blooded animals (and rare human cases). Public Health at Mass Gatherings: The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued a measles alert ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing a fourfold rise in Americas cases and urging stronger surveillance, vaccination access for travelers, and rapid response—especially where vaccination status is unknown. Local Health & Wellness Angle: Costa Rica’s forest recovery is being studied beyond satellite tree cover, with researchers exploring how listening to forest soundscapes may better reflect whether ecosystems are truly functioning. Immigration & Work Access: Costa Rica reactivated a legal work pathway for thousands of Cubans (and some others) through a special temporary category starting Sept. 1, 2026, aimed at ending long periods of work-authorization limbo. Health System Capacity: A report highlights Costa Rica’s growing surgery waitlist crisis, pointing to pressure on the public health system. Medtech Growth: CINDE says Costa Rica’s medtech boom is shifting toward higher-value R&D, AI-led healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. Pet Travel Health: Guanacaste Airport reported record pet arrivals and notes health-coordination protocols with SENASA for travelers bringing dogs and cats.

Measles Alert for World Cup Travel: PAHO says measles is surging across the Americas, with 20,521 cases and 25 deaths in the region this year, a fourfold jump from 2025, and warns that big crowds and international travel can spread the virus—urging countries to tighten surveillance, boost vaccination coverage, and use rapid response; Costa Rica in the Mix: PAHO notes infections linked to outbreaks or importations have been identified in Costa Rica along with several neighbors; Pet-Friendly Travel Boost: Guanacaste’s Liberia airport reported a record 876 dogs and cats arriving in the first four months of 2026, plus dedicated terminal areas and coordination with health authorities; Wearables in Sports Medicine: England players are using Whoop fitness trackers during training and upcoming friendlies (including vs Costa Rica) to monitor recovery and well-being; Screwworm Watch Near the Border: U.S. officials warn New World screwworm detections are getting closer to Texas, raising concerns for livestock and wildlife as the outbreak spreads through Central America.

Measles Alert for Mass Gatherings: PAHO says measles cases are rising sharply across the Americas, with 20,521 cases and 25 deaths confirmed in 16 countries/one territory in early 2026—far above last year—urging stronger surveillance, vaccination checks, and rapid response ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Flesh-Eating Screwworm Nears the Border: U.S. officials warn New World screwworm larvae are being detected closer to the U.S., with the closest reports now about 25 miles from Texas, raising alarms for livestock and wildlife even as there are no confirmed U.S. infestations. Travel Health Watch: The UK Foreign Office advises travelers heading to the World Cup to stay alert for Ebola-related symptoms after temporary entry restrictions for people recently in affected African countries. Costa Rica Health System Pressure: Coverage highlights Costa Rica’s growing surgery waitlist crisis, underscoring ongoing strain in public healthcare access. Local Wellness & Safety Notes: A Costa Rica lookout incident involving a venomous pit viper bite risk serves as a reminder for hikers to watch for wildlife near trails and viewpoints.

Measles Watch for Mass Gatherings: PAHO is urging Americas health authorities to tighten measles surveillance, vaccination coverage, and rapid response ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including active case-finding and guidance for unvaccinated travelers. Costa Rica Health System Pressure: Costa Rica’s public health system is facing a growing surgery waitlist crisis, raising concerns for timely care. Local Food & Nutrition: Dos Pinos marked World Milk Day by spotlighting women producers who run dairy farms and help drive nutrition and rural livelihoods. Travel Health Reminder: After recent hantavirus and Ebola outbreaks, travel medicine experts say outbreaks shouldn’t automatically stop trips, but travelers should take precautions and stay informed. Safety Outdoors: Hikers at a Costa Rica lookout reported a near-miss with a venomous pit viper after hearing a warning hiss—an urgent reminder to keep distance on trails. Community Health & Mobility: A Costa Rica expat story highlights how building a calmer routine after a career setback can support mental wellbeing.

Surgery Waitlist Pressure: Costa Rica’s public health system is facing a growing surgery backlog, with more patients stuck waiting for procedures. Nutrition & Food Security: A new local study highlights that meat protein anchors 77% of Costa Rican lunches, pointing to beef as a key source of iron, zinc, and B12. Blue Zones Longevity: Dan Buettner spotlights longevity lessons from the Nicoya Peninsula, emphasizing environment and daily habits over “radical diets.” Snake Bite Risk Outdoors: Hikers at a Costa Rica lookout reported a faint hiss and a near-miss venomous pit viper strike, a reminder that remote trails can turn medical emergencies fast. Community Health Support: A benefit concert is planned to help cover medical and rehab costs for a student injured while studying abroad in Costa Rica. Workday Convenience for Wellness: Market and More continues expanding grocery delivery in Costa Rica, aiming to make it easier to access specialty and healthier foods.

Longevity & Healthy Aging: Blue Zones founder Dan Buettner says healthier aging is driven less by genetics and more by “environmental design” that nudges better daily habits over decades, highlighting Nicoya Peninsula (Costa Rica) as one of the world’s longevity hotspots. Food & Nutrition: New Costa Rica data from CoopeMontecillos’ 2025 Usage Diaries finds meat shows up in 77% of lunches, with beef promoted as a key source of iron, zinc, selenium, phosphorus, and vitamin B12. Public Health & Safety: A Costa Rica lookout hike nearly ended in disaster after hikers heard a faint hiss and a venomous pit viper strike missed; the incident is a reminder to keep distance from wildlife on trails. Local Health System Pressure: Costa Rica’s public health system is facing a growing surgery waitlist crisis, adding strain for patients needing procedures. Travel Health: With global outbreaks in the news, travel medicine guidance emphasizes that risk depends on close contact and exposure, not just headlines.

Public Health & Safety: Costa Rica’s public health system is dealing with a growing surgery waitlist crisis, adding pressure to hospitals already stretched thin. Nutrition & Wellness: A new Costa Rica-focused nutrition data roundup says meat protein anchors 77% of lunch plates, with beef highlighted as a key source of iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. Foodborne Risk: Costa Rica reports a Salmonella outbreak, with at least one possible death under investigation. Climate & Health: New research links rising temperatures and microplastics to faster growth of antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella, with Latin America and the Caribbean flagged as areas where resistant genes are increasing. Community & Care: A benefit concert is planned to help cover medical and rehabilitation costs for a student who suffered a serious spinal injury while studying abroad in Costa Rica. Health in the News (Travel): A Costa Rica hiking scare shows how quickly a venomous pit viper strike can happen at popular lookouts—an urgent reminder to keep distance from wildlife.

Snake Safety in Nature Tourism: Hikers at a Costa Rica lookout reported hearing a faint hiss before a pit viper strike—an urgent reminder that venomous snakes may defend themselves when people get too close. Nutrition Spotlight: A Costa Rica cooperative says meat protein anchors 77% of local lunches, highlighting beef’s role as a source of iron, zinc and vitamin B12. Public Health & Tobacco Control: PAHO marks World No Tobacco Day by pointing to progress across the Americas, while warning that new nicotine products keep targeting young people; Costa Rica is cited for moving to ban flavorings in e-cigarettes. Antibiotic Resistance & Climate: New research links rising temperatures to higher levels of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella, with Latin America and the Caribbean flagged as areas where the trend is sharper. Local Health System Pressure: Costa Rica’s public health system faces a growing surgery waitlist crisis, adding strain for patients needing timely care. Community Support: A benefit concert in Massachusetts is raising funds for a young student injured in Costa Rica, underscoring the real-world medical fallout from travel accidents.

Public Health Watch: Costa Rica’s CCSS says the surgical waitlist is worsening again, with 204,622 insured patients waiting for operations as of April 2026—up from 190,076 a year earlier—pushing average delays to 441 days and hitting hardest in areas like orthopedics. Tobacco & Nicotine Prevention: PAHO marks World No Tobacco Day (May 31) by calling out industry tactics aimed at youth, noting recent progress across the Americas including Costa Rica’s move to ban flavorings in e-cigarettes and tighten packaging rules. Antibiotic Resistance & Climate: New research links rising temperatures to more antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella worldwide, with Latin America and the Caribbean highlighted as areas where resistant genes are climbing faster. Local Health Community Support: A benefit concert in Gloucester is raising funds for a Costa Rica study-abroad student recovering from a serious spinal injury. Health & Travel Safety: Travel medicine experts urge caution but not panic amid outbreak concerns, emphasizing how risk depends on exposure and contact patterns.

Surgery Waitlist Strain: Costa Rica’s CCSS says the insured surgery backlog hit 204,622 patients in April 2026, up from 190,076 a year earlier—an ~8% jump—with an average wait of 441 days (orthopedics is among the hardest hit). Tobacco Control Push: PAHO marks World No Tobacco Day (May 31) by highlighting progress across the Americas and warning that new tobacco and nicotine products are still targeting youth; Costa Rica is cited for moving to ban flavorings in e-cigarettes and tighten packaging. Antibiotic Resistance & Climate: New research links rising temperatures and microplastics to faster growth of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella genes, with Latin America and the Caribbean flagged among the regions seeing sharper increases. Local Health & Travel Safety: A travel medicine update urges precautions amid infectious-disease concerns, noting hantavirus spreads mainly through close, prolonged contact and that risk depends on exposure conditions. Wellness & Mind-Body Trends: A mindfulness-and-nature retreat story spotlights how people are seeking stress relief through tactile, offline experiences like art, meditation, and horses.

Surgery Waitlist Strain (Costa Rica): CCSS reports 204,622 insured patients waiting for surgery as of April 2026—up from 190,076 a year earlier—pushing the average wait to 441 days and worsening delays, especially in orthopedics. Tobacco & Nicotine Prevention (PAHO): PAHO marks World No Tobacco Day (May 31) by urging stronger action to protect youth from tobacco and nicotine addiction, pointing to industry tactics behind vapes and nicotine pouches; it notes Costa Rica’s moves to ban e-cigarette flavorings and restrict packaging. Antibiotic Resistance & Climate (Global): New research links rising temperatures to higher levels of antimicrobial resistance genes in Salmonella, with Latin America and the Caribbean highlighted as areas where the trend is accelerating. Wellness in Nature (Forest Bathing): A city-based “forest bathing” experiment explores whether guided-style stress relief can work on a solo outing in a local park. Food Security (FAO): FAO stresses that food security depends on availability, access, affordability, and quality—not just calories—calling for more nutritious, diverse, safer food systems. Local Health Context (Costa Rica): A Costa Rican biotech student is recognized for a Lyme disease detection project, adding to the country’s growing health innovation visibility.

Surgery Waitlist Crunch: Costa Rica’s public health system (CCSS) added more people to its surgical backlog, with 204,622 insured patients waiting for operations as of April 2026—up from 190,076 a year earlier. The average wait is now 441 days, and orthopedics remains one of the worst-hit areas with more than 34,000 pending cases. Forest Bathing for Stress: A new wellness feature explores whether “forest bathing” can calm the mind and body even for city dwellers, including a firsthand test of the practice for burnout and stress relief. Lyme Disease Tech Spotlight: A Costa Rican biotech student won international recognition at an iGEM Startups BioHackathon for a Lyme disease detection concept aimed at improving diagnosis of tick-borne illness. Public Health & Safety for Visitors: Guanacaste’s Liberia airport partnered with the U.S. Embassy to promote the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), plus water-safety messaging for U.S. travelers. Mental Health Through Loss: A personal story reflects on grief and coping after the loss of a baby, highlighting the emotional toll and the search for support.

Digital Nomad Visa (Costa Rica): Costa Rica is pitching its digital nomad visa as a practical way to live and work remotely for up to two years, but eligibility hinges on income, medical insurance, and careful paperwork prep. Public Health & Safety for Visitors: Guanacaste’s Liberia airport is partnering with the U.S. Embassy to promote the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), with added focus on water safety after U.S. advisories cite rip currents as a major risk. Local Innovation in Health Tech: A Tecnológico de Costa Rica biotech student won international recognition for a Lyme disease detection project, aiming to tackle diagnostic blind spots. Mental Health & Grief: A new report highlights a surge in grief retreats in the U.S., tying rising loneliness to changing social habits and mental health needs. Community Health Support: A benefit concert is planned to help cover medical and rehab costs for a student injured while studying abroad in Costa Rica. Climate & Health Risk: Western Europe’s extreme late-spring heat is raising alarms about out-of-season heat exposure and health impacts.

Costa Rica Health & Safety for Visitors: Guanacaste’s Liberia airport is partnering with the U.S. Embassy to promote the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), with new terminal screens and water-safety messaging aimed at reducing risks like dangerous rip currents. Community Health Access: A GCU medical mission team hiked into remote Talamanca settlements to support indigenous residents through Well Child International, bringing care to hard-to-reach communities. Public Health & Outbreak Watch: Costa Rica reported a Salmonella outbreak, with one possible death, underscoring the need for vigilance and food-safety practices. Health, Wellness & Longevity Culture: Blue Zones-inspired eating continues to trend, with Nicoya Peninsula (Costa Rica) highlighted as a longevity model—fueling interest in plant-forward, lower-stress lifestyle guidance. Emergency Care Systems: A new ESO Trauma Index links hospital and prehospital blood product data, mapping patterns across emergency response to help improve outcomes.

Food Safety Alert (Costa Rica): Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health is investigating a Salmonella outbreak linked to a commercial establishment in Ciudad Colón de Mora, with 47 people tied to the case, a dozen confirmed positive, and one possibly related death; authorities ordered a temporary closure and are checking cleaning, disinfection, temperature control, and food handling, with samples analyzed by INCIENSA and traceability reviewed by SENASA. Public Health & Travel Safety (Costa Rica): Guanacaste’s Liberia airport partnered with the U.S. Embassy to promote the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), adding safety and water-safety messaging for U.S. visitors as rip currents remain a major risk. Pollinator Health (Costa Rica): Reserva Conchal in Guanacaste launched a bee genetics pilot to boost pollinator resilience to climate stress, using a genetics lab approach focused on queen-bee traits. Health Care Costs & Systems (Global): The 2026 ESO Trauma Index highlights trauma-system performance patterns, including blood product use and large mortality gaps between mild and severe traumatic brain injury. Local Emergency Care Data (Global): The companion ESO EMS Index adds prehospital visibility to help systems improve outcomes across the full emergency chain.

Travel Safety Push: Guanacaste’s Liberia airport has teamed up with the U.S. Embassy to promote STEP, putting safety and water-risk guidance in the terminal so U.S. travelers can register for alerts and emergency contact during crises. Public Health Alert: Costa Rica is investigating a Salmonella outbreak tied to a Ciudad Colón de Mora food outlet; 47 people are linked to the case, a dozen tested positive, and one death is possibly connected while the site is temporarily closed for sanitation and handling fixes. Health System Data Spotlight: The 2026 ESO Trauma Index highlights how trauma outcomes vary by severity and how adding prehospital information can change what hospitals prioritize. Tourism Momentum: With 653,000+ visitors in the first two months of 2026, Costa Rica is leaning into faster air connectivity and a stronger tourism identity—especially around Guanacaste. Disaster Watch: A torbellino in Grecia damaged homes and briefly trapped three people; all were reported stable.