São Paulo confirms 3 deaths from yellow fever in the state.

Fernanda Cruz – Reporter for Agência Brasil

The state of São Paulo has confirmed, since the beginning of this year, three deaths from yellow fever, in the cities of Américo Brasiliense, Batatais (both autochthonous, acquired in the state itself) and Santana do Parnaíba (imported case, as the victim had traveled to Minas Gerais). The information was released today (23) by the State Health Department.

Three other deaths, which are being investigated by the health department, of people who returned from Minas Gerais with symptoms of the disease, may also have been caused by yellow fever. In addition to these deaths, there are seven patients throughout the state suspected of having contracted yellow fever.

At the end of last year, a 52-year-old man died in Ribeirão Preto, in the interior of the state, with a confirmed diagnosis of yellow fever. He was hospitalized for four days and died on December 26th. The man lived near a wooded area where monkeys that carry the virus live. It is suspected that wild species of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits the disease, may have infected the victim.

In April of last year, another person also had their death confirmed in the municipality of Bady Bassit, in the interior of São Paulo state. The site of infection for this victim was a wild area called Mata dos Macacos, in the municipality of São José do Rio Preto.

Vaccination

At the Emílio Ribas Institute, in the city of São Paulo, a reference hospital in infectology, there has been a significant increase in demand for yellow fever vaccines. Last Saturday (21), the immunization was administered to 320 people. The daily vaccination average recorded by the hospital is 50 per day, reaching 150 during holiday periods, when people travel more.

Jessé Alves Reis, an infectious disease specialist and coordinator of Travel Medicine at Emílio Ribas Hospital, advises against vaccination for people who are not traveling to at-risk areas. "It's important for people to understand that those who live in or travel to at-risk areas should get vaccinated. People outside these regions don't need to rush to get vaccinated," he stated.

Traveler to MG

Maria de Fátima Diniz Viana, 64, will travel to the city of Governador Valadares, in Minas Gerais, and then embark for Portugal. As a precaution, she will get vaccinated and intends to take her immunization certificate with her to enter Europe. "My family in Minas are apprehensive; they got vaccinated because the rural area is already being affected. I'm going to the urban area, but I'll get vaccinated as a precaution," she said.

Graziela Porfilho, 28, is going to travel to the rural area of ​​the city of Paraisópolis, in Minas Gerais. "My brother, who has lived there for 2 months, said there's no outbreak in the city, but since we end up going to other cities, who knows. He's been there for 2 months and still hasn't gotten vaccinated."

The vaccine is available in the public health system and should be taken 10 days before traveling to at-risk areas, which are basically forested and rural areas. The vaccine has adverse effects and cannot be taken by people with immunological diseases, those taking medications that may affect the immune system, pregnant women, children under 6 months of age, and seniors over 60 years of age.

Wild mode

Since 1942, there has been no record of urban transmission of yellow fever in Brazil. The risk of a return of urban transmission is theoretical, but it exists, said Jessé. According to him, the country recorded sylvatic transmission cycles in 2003, 2008, and 2009.

Across the country, according to the Ministry of Health, cases continue to be concentrated in wild forest areas. The ministry’s latest report, from Friday (20), indicates 272 suspected cases in Minas Gerais, 47 were confirmed and 25 deaths. In Espírito Santo, there are 11 suspected cases. The next report will be released tonight (23).