Health Alert: Countrywide (Costa Rica), Aluminum Phosphide Poisoning

Location:  

• Costa Rica, country-wide 

• Real Cariari, Heredia, Costa Rica 

• Tempate, Santa Cruz, Costa Rica  

Event: The U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica is aware of incidents of poisoning by aluminum phosphide, a highly toxic pesticide, in Costa Rica. Aluminum phosphide is commonly used in rodent fumigations.  When exposed to water or moisture in the air, the pesticide releases phosphine gas, a colorless gas that smells of garlic or rotten fish at high concentrations.  Exposure to phosphine gas can quickly cause severe respiratory symptoms or death. 

Actions to Take:  

• Consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  for more information on pesticide poisoning. 

• If you smell garlic or rotten fish in your hotel, residence, or any enclosed area, immediately vacate the premises.  Do not rely on odor alone to judge safety; moving to a nearby room or area without the smell may still leave you exposed. 

• If you experience respiratory or digestive symptoms, immediately seek medical attention. 

• Ask your hotel or host if fumigations have recently occurred and/or if aluminum phosphide has recently been used on the premises. 

• Avoid areas where fumigations are ongoing. 

• Refer to our list of medical providers.  

• Check with your travel insurance provider  about medical evacuation options should you fall ill while overseas. 

Assistance: 

U.S. Embassy San Jose, Costa Rica  

+506 2519-2000  

ACSSanJose@state.gov  

https://cr.usembassy.gov/  

State Department – Consular Affairs  

+1 (888) 407-4747 or +1 (202) 501-4444  

Costa Rica International Travel Information  (travel.state.gov ) 
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