The state of Minas Gerais confirmed that it recorded one death from hantavirusaccording to information presented by the State Department of Health this Sunday (10). The victim is a 46-year-old man, resident of the municipality of Carmo do Paranaíba (MG).
According to the folder, the man had a history of contact with a wild rodent on a farm. The first symptoms would have occurred on February 2nd, with the beginning of a headache. Four days later, he sought care when experiencing fever, muscle pain, joint pain and lower back pain.
Biological samples were collected and sent to the Ezequiel Dias Foundation (Funed). The result showed IgM serology hantavirus reagent. The man died on February 8th.
According to the State Department of Health, “This is an isolated case, unrelated to other records of the disease.”
A CNN Brazil contacted the Ministry of Health to find out if this It is the first hantavirus death in Brazil in 2026.
Hantavirus in Brazil
Paraná confirmed two cases of hantavirus this Friday (8), according to the State Department of Health. One of the patients is from the city of Pérola D’Oeste, close to the border with Argentina, and the other from Ponta Grossa, in Campos Gerais.
In addition, 11 more cases are being investigated and another 21 have been discarded. According to the Department of Health of the State of Paranáthe disease is under control in Paraná and the public network will continue to monitor and monitor suspected cases.
The secretariat’s alert occurs after the WHO (World Health Organization) publicize cases and deaths from hantavirus recorded on a cruise ship traveling from Argentina to Cape Verde.
Both the death registered in Minas Gerais and the confirmed cases in Paraná are not related to the virus contamination on the cruise ship MV Hondius.
What is known about hantavirus?
A Hantavirus is an acute viral zoonosis immediate mandatory notification. It is transmitted to humans mainly by inhaling particles present in the urine, feces and saliva of infected wild rodents. Other ways of contagion include contact of the virus with mucous membranes, scratches or bites from these animals.
The virus can cause Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome ea Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Symptoms include fever, joint pain, headache and gastrointestinal symptoms. If it progresses to the cardiopulmonary phase, it is also possible to experience difficulty breathing, low blood pressure and a dry cough.
At the first sign of the disease, it is recommended to seek a health service immediately.
Outbreak of the disease on the high seas
The identification of the disease in Hondius cruise was confirmed by the WHO (World Health Organization) this Tuesday (5). According to investigations, transmission occurred from person to person on board the ship.
The vessel, operated by the tourism company Oceanwide Expeditionsdeparted Ushuaia, Argentina, last month, on a journey across the Atlantic Ocean, with stops at some of the most remote islands in the world.
And along the way, several passengers fell ill with a rapidly progressing respiratory illness, the company said. The case resulted in three deaths by the virus.
