Baixada Santista, in São Paulo, faces a “virus outbreak” which began in December 2024. A survey of the CNN shows that the number of people with symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting exceeded 11 thousand cases in cities on the coast of São Paulo.
On Wednesday (8), the State Department of Health (SES) of São Paulo, through the Adolfo Lutz Institute, in human feces collected in the cities of Guarujá and Praia Grande.
“We are investigating, together with Cetesb, Sabesp and the municipalities of Baixada Santista, the source that caused this infection”, stated Regiane de Paula, health coordinator of the department’s Disease Control department.
The. Causing gastroenteritis, the virus causes intense diarrhea, vomiting and, in some cases, high fever. In most cases, it causes mild symptoms but requires attention, especially in risk groups such as children and the elderly.
See the situation in the cities of Baixada Santista:
Guarujá
The city of Guarujá was the most affected by the outbreak, exceeding 2 thousand cases. In some health units in the city, the waiting time for care reached 4 hours. Last Sunday (4), . The young woman was in the interior of São Paulo and had returned from a trip to Guarujá.
Santos
With 1,930 consultations relating to virus cases in the municipality, Santos is the second city on the coast with the highest number of cases, behind only Guarujá. According to the Municipal Health Department (SMS), the system’s current capacity is sufficient to meet demand and there are no hospitalized patients.
“The consumption of food of unknown origin and flooding caused by rain are risk factors. In other words, personal care is fundamental to maintaining health”, highlighted the ministry.
Mongaguá
According to the Mongaguá Health Department, since December 23rd, 1,783 consultations for viruses were carried out in the city, equivalent to 15% of the total consultations in the period.
According to the department, no hospitalizations have been reported so far. “It is estimated that the increase in numbers is due to the high flow of tourists in the municipality during the period, when the number of people increases by more than 800%,” he stated.
Saint Vincent
In São Vicente, since the beginning of December, 1,460 cases of gastroenterocolitis have been confirmed.
The Health Department reported that one person is hospitalized. The patient’s health condition is stable. According to the ministry, “the scenario is under control, with no need for an emergency plan”.
Itanhaém
The city of Itanhaém reported that since January 1st, 1,145 cases of virus cases were treated in the city, including the Emergency Care Unit (UPA) and the Children’s UPA.
According to municipal management, the main symptoms are abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and dizziness. The priority for care in health units has been patients in more vulnerable situations, such as children, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses and debilitating conditions.
Cubatão
The municipality of Cubatão treated 915 cases of people with symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting in the first week of January 2025. No hospitalizations were recorded.
According to the municipality’s Health Department, the highest number of visits to the Emergency Care Unit (UPA) was on Monday (6), with 107 cases reported. The ministry stated that it was not necessary to increase the number of teams in health units during the period.
Bertioga
In a note, Bertioga city hall reported that from the beginning of December 2024 until Tuesday (7), 707 patients with symptoms of diarrhea and gastroenteritis were treated at the municipal hospital. According to the secretariat, there is no information on people hospitalized due to the disease.
Praia Grande
HAS CNNPraia Grande city hall reported that there has been a drop in the number of urgent and emergency visits in recent days, including cases linked to viruses.
According to the Public Health Secretariat (Sesap), even with the increase in cases in the first week of 2025, the situation in the municipality was not characterized as an outbreak. “Health teams have been reinforced to provide all the necessary support during this period”, highlighted the ministry.
According to the Ministry of Health’s protocol, cities do not need to report cases of the virus, except in cases of outbreaks. For this reason, the secretariat clarified that it does not have a number relating to the care of these cases in the city.
A CNN got in touch and is awaiting a response from Peruíbe city hall.
Prevention and care
On Monday (6), the health secretaries of cities in the region and the state government met to discuss the measures that will be adopted in acute cases of gastroenterocolitis.
The director of the Division of Waterborne and Foodborne Diseases of the State Department of Health, Alessandra Lucchesi, . “It is not recommended to swim in the sea within 24 hours after periods of rain,” he explained.
“Food must also be prepared and stored properly, always refrigerated”, he concluded.
Among the state government’s recommendations is paying attention to signs about the quality of sea water, with guidance to avoid places unsuitable for swimming, identified with red flags. The health department emphasizes that no medication should be taken without medical knowledge and advice.
Check out other precautions:
- Avoid undercooked foods
- Keep food well refrigerated, paying special attention to the temperatures of refrigerators and refrigerators in supermarkets where the food is stored.
- Carry your own snacks during outdoor trips, stored correctly
- Observe the hygiene of cafeterias and kiosks
- Wash your hands before eating or preparing food
- Always drink filtered water
- Do not consume ice, “slushies”, “sacolés”, juices and mineral water of unknown origin
