Pimentel on yellow fever: 'no alarm'
"We have no reason for alarm. The situation is indeed concerning, but there is no imminent risk of an epidemic," stated the governor of Minas Gerais, Fernando Pimentel; according to the State Health Secretariat, 23 suspected cases of acute hemorrhagic fever are being investigated, of which 16 have already tested positive for yellow fever, and the others remain under investigation; 14 deaths have been recorded, the causes of which are being investigated.
Mines 247 - The governor of Minas Gerais, Fernando Pimentel, stated this Tuesday (10), in a video posted on the social networks of the Government of Minas Gerais, that the incidence of yellow fever in the state is serious, but is not a reason for alarm on the part of the population. According to the head of the state executive, prevention actions are being implemented in the regions where cases of the disease have been identified, including the start of vaccination of populations living in rural areas of the affected municipalities. In addition, hospital beds in these locations are also being reinforced to treat serious cases.
The State Health Department released data on Monday (9) indicating that 23 suspected cases of acute hemorrhagic fever are being investigated, of which 16 have already had positive laboratory responses for yellow fever, and the others remain under investigation. 14 deaths have been recorded, the causes of which are being investigated. About 15 municipalities in the regions of Teófilo Otoni, Coronel Fabriciano, Manhumirim and Governador Valadares are on alert due to these cases.
"We have no reason to be alarmed. The situation is indeed concerning, but it is not an imminent risk of an epidemic. What we are doing is taking preventive actions in the affected regions, especially involving vaccination," said the governor, after a meeting with the State Secretaries of Health, Nalton Moreira, and of Government, Odair Cunha. "If you live in an urban area in one of the affected municipalities, you have no reason to worry, unless you regularly travel to the rural area. Then, yes, you should go to a health center and get vaccinated. Those who live in rural areas are already being contacted by our field teams. We are going from house to house vaccinating people," he added.
According to the governor, a meeting will be held with the mayors of the affected regions to discuss the situation and measures to combat the problem. "The Ministry of Health has already been notified, we have enough vaccines to cover all the regions that are currently affected. We are also mobilizing Civil Defense and reinforcing hospital beds for eventual urgent cases. We are doing everything possible to address this issue, which is serious, but not a cause for alarm," said Pimentel.
Yellow fever
Yellow fever is a serious infectious disease caused by a virus and transmitted by mosquitoes, both in urban and wild areas. In urban areas, transmission occurs through the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the same vector for dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. In forested areas, the main vectors are the Haemagogus and Sabethes mosquitoes.
Transmission occurs when a person who has never contracted yellow fever or been vaccinated against the disease is bitten by an infected mosquito. In urban areas, upon contracting the disease, the person can become a source of infection for the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Besides humans, the infection can also affect monkeys, which can develop sylvatic yellow fever and carry a sufficient viral load to infect mosquitoes and thus infect humans.
The first symptoms of the disease are high fever, chills, fatigue, headaches and muscle aches, nausea, and vomiting for about three days. The most severe form of the disease is rare and usually appears after a brief period of well-being (up to two days), when liver and kidney failure, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), hemorrhagic manifestations, and intense fatigue may occur. Most infected individuals recover well and acquire permanent immunity against the disease.
*With advisory information