BRASILIA: A suspected case of mpox in a traveler at Brazil’s main international airport is likely chickenpox, according to a statement from a Sao Paulo hospital. Health officials remain vigilant for a new variant of mpox that has raised global concerns. Emilio Ribas, a state-owned infectious disease hospital, said chickenpox is the leading assumption for the reported case, and laboratory tests in the coming days should confirm the diagnosis.
Earlier, Brazil’s health and sanitation regulator Anvisa reported that a passenger in a section of Sao Paulo airport designated for individuals seeking refugee status showed “signs and symptoms compatible with mpox.” This comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following the rapid spread of a new variant in Africa.
The health ministry of Brazil stated that more than 700 confirmed or probable mpox cases have been reported in the country this year, though none involve the new variant. Anvisa, which found no other suspected cases at the airport, and Emilio Ribas have not provided details on whether this potential case involves the new strain.
The hospital also noted that the passenger had not traveled from mpox-endemic areas, without disclosing their travel history or home country. Over 650 migrants, mostly from India, Nepal, and Vietnam, were awaiting entry into Brazil as Friday at Guarulhos airport, according to a spokesperson for the public defender’s office.
The office claimed that the migrants’ human rights were being violated and that their health was deteriorating. In response, Brazil announced last week that it would tighten entry rules to curb the influx of foreigners using Brazil as a transit point to reach the United States and Canada.
