Red Cross Funding Crunch: Costa Rica’s Red Cross is considering ending overnight shifts at 20 branches, with coverage potentially moved to neighboring sites—an operational change tied to a growing ₡943 million deficit reported as of July and a projected ₡5 billion gap for 2027. Caribbean Health Screenings for Migrant Workers: Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health says it will step up healthcare for Indigenous migrants entering from Panama for the coffee harvest, including malaria and tuberculosis testing for arrivals via the San Marcos de Sabalito sector in Coto Brus. Tourism & Wellness Demand: Canadian arrivals to Costa Rica jumped 24.1% in the first eight months of 2026, as travelers shift away from the U.S.; the ICT says 232,949 Canadians arrived, boosting market share. Airport Safety for U.S. Visitors: San José (SJO) airport added QR codes to guide U.S. travelers to the free STEP registration program for safety and health alerts. Public Health Tech: UCR student Eddie Alvarado Elizondo developed an eco-friendly disinfectant tablet that dissolves in under 9 minutes and claims 99.99% pathogen kill on treated surfaces. Climate on Health & Food: Heavy rains in the Caribbean are damaging cacao plantations, knocking flowers off trees and raising disease risk—some producers report 50% to 60% losses. Medicines & Vaccines: ILiAD Biotechnologies published Phase 2b trial results in The Lancet Infectious Diseases for its intranasal pertussis vaccine candidate BPZE1, including a Costa Rica trial site. Local Waste Fight: Mora’s landfill plan in Picagres faces renewed pressure after a new land-use certificate for Parque Industrial Jateo sparked concerns about road impacts and nearby water sources.