Chikungunya virus represents a threat to Costa Rica. This arbovirus was introduced to the American continent during the last trimester of 2013. Due to its epidemiological and virological characteristics, as well as to the presence of its vectors in the territory, chikungunya could become the next novel endemic disease in Costa Rica. Although chikungunya has a low mortality rate, its high rate of attack could cause a collapse of the national health system during an epidemic. In this review we summarize the clinical, virological, epidemiological and entomological characteristics associated to chikungunya virus for a proper identification, diagnosis and differentiation of chikungunya fever cases in the country. Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of the epidemiological and vector control in order to prevent epidemics of this disease in Costa Rica.
