Imported, second-hand clothing does not go through any verification process or fumigation by the authorities of the Ministry of Health. This was noted by the authorities of the Costa Rican Textile Chamber (CATECO) that are concerned because diseases and pests could spread as consequence of this.
According to Danny Mora, legal representative of the Association of Citizen Protection and the National Consumer (APROCICON), the lack of sanitary controls on second-hand clothing from other countries can trigger conditions such as dermatitis, tinea corporis (infectious and contagious skin disease caused by a funghus) and scabies.
CATECO filed an appeal that aims to implement a regulation of epidemiological surveillance in order to stop this dangerous situation.