The Public Ministry asked this Friday (8) that the TCU (Federal Audit Court) adopt a precautionary measure and investigate the actions of the Ministry of Health to prevent the spread of hantavirus in the country.
In the document, the representation cites a report from.
The request requests urgency on the grounds that the state borders Andean countries, where the so-called “Andes virus”, a variant with the potential for person-to-person transmission, circulates.
The document also mentions the Covid-19 pandemic and states that there was “little effort” in the initial fight against the disease, which would have contributed to the contamination of thousands of Brazilians.
“It is not my intention to alarm the Brazilian population about this disease, but careless attitudes towards the spread of viruses were observed at the time of Covid-19, which resulted in thousands of deaths that could have been avoided if timely and effective measures had been adopted”, says the document.
Earlier, the Paraná State Department of Health confirmed the two cases of hantavirus. Another 21 cases were discarded, and 11 remain under investigation.
The alert comes after it was registered on a cruise ship traveling from Argentina to Cape Verde.
In addition to the cases registered in May this year, in 2025 there was also a confirmed case in the municipality of Cruz Machado.
What is the virus?
A. It is transmitted to humans mainly by inhaling particles present in the urine, feces and saliva of infected wild rodents. Other forms of contagion include the virus coming into contact with mucous membranes, scratches or bites from these animals.
When it develops, the virus can cause Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome (HCPS) and in more severe cases, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). At this stage, non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema may appear, with the patient progressing to acute respiratory failure and circulatory shock.
In the initial phase, symptoms include fever, joint pain, headache and gastrointestinal symptoms. If it progresses to the cardiopulmonary phase, the patient may experience difficulty breathing, dry cough and low blood pressure.
There is no specific treatment for hantavirus infection, with therapeutic measures being supportive and administered by medical professionals. At the first sign of the disease, the recommendation is to seek a health service immediately.
