The state of São Paulo decided to include West Nile Fever on the arboviral panel routinely conducted by sentinel health units spread throughout the territory. The measure was announced by the state's Health Surveillance Coordinator, Regiane de Paula, with the aim of monitoring the disease's distribution and being prepared for possible new cases.
Recently, São Paulo confirmed its first two cases of West Nile Fever in history, recorded in two cities in the interior of the state: Ribeirão Preto and São José do Rio Preto. In addition to these cases in São Paulo territory, two other cases were confirmed this year in Santa Catarina, in the cities of Caçador and Imbituba, with the latter resulting in death.
Regiane de Paula stated that there is no concern regarding a possible epidemic. According to her, the intention is precisely to be prepared and include the virus in monitoring to track its distribution throughout the state territory.
West Nile Fever is a disease transmitted by the bite of the Culex mosquito, known as the common house mosquito. The natural hosts of the virus are birds, and the disease can affect humans and other animals.
