Yellow Fever Reaches Northern Coast of São Paulo

04/04/2018 - 11h35

Yellow fever has reached the Northern coast of São Paulo, Brazil. Two dead monkeys were infected with the disease. One of the monkeys was found in a forest area in Ubatuba, and the other in a gated community in Juquehy, São Sebastião. The two cities have intensified their vaccination campaign.

There is also one human case under investigation in Ubatuba, a patient who died on Monday (2) with symptoms of the disease, in Ubatumirim, Northern area of the city, in Serra do Mar State Park.

A howler monkey was also found dead in the area at the end of March. Lab results confirmed it was infected with yellow fever.

After the results were published, the local government issued an alert reporting only 47% of the city's population have been vaccinated.

In order change this situation, the city has established additional health centers for vaccination inside a grocery store and on the boardwalk downtown. It has also extended working hours at some units.

In São Sebastião, health agents have been inspecting houses in Juquehy beach. The area was identified as the probable infection location of a marmoset found dead early this year.

According to the City Department of health, the monkey was a pet. It belonged to a family from São Paulo that was spending some time at beach with the animal.

Since July 2017, Brazil has registered 1,131 cases of the disease, according to the Ministry of Health.

Translated by ANA BEATRIZ DEMARIA

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